Controversy Grows Over 'Dictator' Remark... China Says "US Must Bear All Consequences"

U.S. President Joe Biden's remark calling Chinese President Xi Jinping a 'dictator' is causing a stir. The Chinese side urged the U.S. to take serious measures and did not hesitate to imply retaliation if it fails to do so.

On the 22nd, the Chinese Embassy in the U.S. officially protested Biden's comparison of President Xi to a dictator. In a statement released that day, the embassy in Washington said, "Biden's critical remarks are wrong, absurd, irresponsible, and a blatant political provocation," adding, "We urge the U.S. side to take serious measures. Otherwise, (the U.S.) must bear all consequences."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The statement also pointed out that "the slander against China's top leader has damaged mutual trust," noting that "the impact is very negative." Furthermore, it said, "The Chinese government and people feel deeply insulted and firmly oppose this. Although President Biden explicitly stated that the U.S. respects China's system, does not intend to change it, and has no intention of a new Cold War, his recent irresponsible remarks about China's political system and top leader cast doubt on that sincerity."

Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also condemned Biden's remarks at a regular briefing the previous day, calling them "extremely ridiculous and irresponsible," and said they "seriously violate basic facts, diplomatic etiquette, and China's political dignity." However, the remarks were excluded from the briefing transcript on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website.

Earlier, on the 20th (local time), the day after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met President Xi, Biden referred to Xi as a dictator during a fundraising event held in California. He explained the situation Xi was in when the U.S. shot down a Chinese reconnaissance balloon that entered U.S. airspace in February, saying, "The reason Xi Jinping was very upset when I shot down the balloon carrying intelligence equipment equivalent to two vehicles was that he did not know it was there," adding, "Not knowing what is happening is embarrassing for dictators."

However, at a joint press conference held immediately after a summit with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House that day, Biden responded "No" when asked if his remark that President Xi is a dictator weakened or complicated the progress made by the U.S. government in U.S.-China relations. He also drew attention by warmly welcoming Prime Minister Modi and describing the bilateral relationship as "one of the most important partnerships in the world."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.