China Says Biden Calling Xi a Dictator Is ‘Provocation’
- US president’s comments come days after trip to cool tensions
- New flare in bilateral ties shows fragility of relationship
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China said US President Joe Biden had made a “public political provocation” by referring to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping as a “dictator,” as fresh tensions flared in bilateral ties just days after meetings to stabilize relations.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning called the US leader’s comments “irresponsible” at a regular press briefing in Beijing on Wednesday. “It is against the basic facts and diplomatic protocols, seriously violates China’s political dignity and amounts to public political provocation,” she added.