Despite causing a stir in Beijing with his comparison of Chinese leader Xi Jinping to “dictators,” US President Joe Biden remains hopeful for their future engagements. Biden dismissed rumors of a collapsing relationship with China and praised the recent discussion between Xi and Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Beijing, which aimed at mitigating the escalating tensions between the two nations.
Addressing a news conference alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Biden expressed positivity about his expected meeting with President Xi. He noted that he was undeterred by any backlash his previous remarks on Xi might have caused, stating his commitment to voicing his perspectives on China.
Biden referenced an alleged surveillance balloon incident, claiming that the incident, which involved the balloon laden with spy equipment flying over the US mainland in February, had caught Xi off-guard. This incident stirred significant public attention in the US, leading Blinken to postpone a planned trip to Beijing.
Also read: Biden Labels Xi Jinping a Dictator amidst U.S-China Tensions
China’s ambassador to Washington, Xie Feng, registered a complaint regarding Biden’s remarks about Xi, which the Chinese embassy labeled as a political provocation. Despite this, Biden, known for his belief in personal diplomacy, is optimistic about the potential for a summit soon.
Biden and Xi, who spent more than 24 hours conversing when they were vice presidents, are both slated to attend the next G20 summit in New Delhi in September. Further, Biden plans to extend an invitation to Xi for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in San Francisco this November.
However, Biden’s candid views about China’s leadership are not universally shared among other leaders. Visiting Beijing next week, New Zealand’s Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, voiced disagreement with Biden’s assessment.
Although the US often criticizes China’s human rights track record, it maintains that it does not seek to transform China’s political system. This news is based on a “Malay Mail” article.
