INTERNATIONAL: In a campaign fundraiser held in northern California, US President Joe Biden referred to Chinese President Xi Jinping as a "dictator" during his speech at a Democratic Party donor's reception. Biden's comments came in the context of an incident in February when a Chinese weather balloon, which the US claims was used for spying, entered American airspace and was subsequently shot down by US military jets.
Biden explained that Xi was angered by the incident because he was unaware of the presence of the balloon and its surveillance equipment. The US president highlighted the embarrassment faced by dictators when they are caught off guard and emphasized that the balloon was not supposed to be in that location and had deviated from its intended course.
The balloon's intrusion into US airspace in February led to heightened tensions between the two countries, with the US military firing on other objects spotted in the sky soon after. Biden later revealed that those objects were likely weather balloons and acknowledged that radar adjustments had caused misidentifications.
Biden's remarks about Xi being a "dictator" came just a day after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken concluded his visit to Beijing, where he held talks with Xi and other senior Chinese officials. The trip, initially scheduled for February but delayed due to the balloon incident, marked the first meeting between a US secretary of state and Xi since 2018, reflecting the escalating tensions between the two nations.
During Blinken's meeting with Xi, the Chinese president emphasized the importance of improving US-China relations based on mutual respect and peaceful coexistence. While Blinken raised concerns about alleged human rights violations in China and criticized unfair economic policies, he also called for increased cooperation and dialogue.
The Biden administration has consistently characterized China as the US' primary competitor and has vowed to address various issues, including Beijing's claims over Taiwan. Biden's comments about Xi being a "dictator" indicate the ongoing strain in the US-China relationship.
The provocative nature of Biden's remarks is not unprecedented, as he has made significant statements during fundraising receptions in the past. Although cameras and recordings are prohibited during these small-scale events, journalists are allowed to listen and transcribe the president's opening remarks.
