BEIJING, NOVEMBER 16: China strongly criticised United States President Joe Biden’s characterisation of Xi Jinping as a dictator, deeming it “extremely wrong” and an “irresponsible political manipulation.”
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning expressed China’s firm opposition to such statements, asserting that they are driven by individuals with ulterior motives seeking to sow discord.
“I need to point out that there are always some people with ulterior motives attempting to sow discord and wreck China-US relations, and this too will not succeed,” she added.
Asked to clarify who she was referring to, Mao demurred, saying: “I think whoever is trying to undermine and sow discord between China and the United States knows it.”
Following their first summit in a year on Wednesday, Biden and Xi agreed to restore military communications between the two countries.
Among other agreements, China committed to cracking down on the production of ingredients for fentanyl, responsible for a deadly epidemic of opioid abuse in the US.
However, speaking after his meeting with Xi on Wednesday, Biden told journalists he still considers the Chinese president a “dictator.”
This remark had previously sparked fury from Beijing earlier this year. -TVS
