China lambasts US envoy as Biden's 'dictator' remark about Xi sparks controversy
Xi and Biden
The Chinese government reportedly called on the US ambassador to China, Nicholas Burns, following comments made by President Joe Biden referring to President Xi Jinping as a "dictator".The reprimand came in the form of a diplomatic note received by Burns shortly after Biden's remarks at a fundraiser in California. The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed US officials, reported on the rebuke.
During the fundraiser, which took place on Tuesday, Biden mentioned that Xi was unaware of a purported Chinese spy balloon that was shot down in US airspace back in February. He then went on to say,“That’s a great embarrassment for dictators. When they didn’t know what happened.”
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China's foreign ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, described Biden's comments as "extremely absurd" and claimed that they seriously violated China's political dignity, amounting to political provocation.
China's silent handling of the diplomatic note
Interestingly, Chinese state media did not publicisethe diplomatic note (known as a demarche) sent to Burns, seemingly to maintain the positive atmosphere established during US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's recent visit to China.
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Blinken's visit and Biden's response
Biden's remarks came just a day after Blinken's long-awaited meeting with Xi, aimed at improving the deteriorating relations between the US and China.
Originally scheduled for February, Blinken's visit was postponed following the spy balloon incident. Biden attempted to downplay the impact of his comments, stating that he didn't believe they had significant consequences.
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He expressed his expectation to meet Xi in the near future and praised Blinken's visit to Beijing.
China's displeasure and strong protest
Although Chinese state media largely ignored Biden's comments, Chinese diplomats made it clear that they were displeased. Xie Feng, China's ambassador to the US, conveyed "serious representations and strong protests" to senior officials at the White House, as stated by the Chinese embassy.
A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington also criticised the US. “The smear of China’s top leader by the US side seriously contradicts basic facts, breaches diplomatic etiquette, infringes on China’s political dignity, runs counter to the commitments made by the US side, and undermines mutual trust."
The spokesperson urged the US to take immediate action to undo the negative impact and honour its own commitments, warning of potential consequences. As of now, the US State Department has not provided an immediate response to the situation.
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