In a recent solo news conference after a four-hour meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, U.S. President Joe Biden made a bold statement by reaffirming his belief that Xi is a dictator. This came as a surprise to many, as tensions between the two superpowers have been escalating in recent years.
The Chinese foreign ministry wasted no time in responding to Biden’s remarks, stating that it “strongly opposes” his characterization of Xi as a dictator. They criticized the statement as “extremely wrong and irresponsible political manipulation.” Interestingly, the foreign ministry refused to specify which individuals were being referred to as having ulterior motives.
This exchange comes at a time when Xi Jinping has recently secured a third term as president with unanimous support from China’s rubber-stamp parliament. Many experts consider Xi to be the most powerful Chinese leader since Mao Zedong, given his consolidation of power in policy-making, the military, and media control.
Despite the tense atmosphere, there has been no immediate reaction from the Chinese delegation regarding Biden’s comments. However, protests against Beijing took place in San Francisco during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, highlighting growing anti-China sentiments in the United States.
It is worth noting that, despite previous disagreements, the U.S. and China engaged in talks aimed at improving strained relations. The meeting between Biden and Xi was seen as a crucial step towards deescalating tensions and finding common ground on various issues such as trade, human rights, and global security.
The Liberty Conservative will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as the story develops. The exchange between the two leaders underscores the ongoing struggle for dominance between the world’s two largest economies and the challenges they face in finding a peaceful resolution.
