President Joe Biden likened Chinese President Xi Jinping to authoritarian leaders during a political fundraiser in California on Tuesday, following US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s statement about progress in repairing US-China relations.
Referring to the US’s downing of a Chinese spy balloon, President Biden explained that Xi Jinping’s displeasure stemmed from not being aware of its presence, highlighting the discomfort dictators face when caught off guard.
President Biden’s impromptu remarks occur amidst heightened tensions in US-China relations, with the US Secretary of State acknowledging progress towards stabilising the bilateral relationship.
CNN has contacted the White House to seek clarification regarding the president’s statement.
During his remarks, President Biden commended Secretary Blinken for his efforts in repairing the relationship, acknowledging his effective work and emphasizing that enhancing the bilateral ties will require time. Additionally, at a separate fundraiser, Biden informed donors that US climate envoy John Kerry is expected to visit China soon, focusing on environmental matters.
Secretary Blinken, the first US secretary of state to visit Beijing in five years, concluded a two-day series of meetings with top Chinese officials, including President Xi. While no significant breakthroughs were achieved, both sides agreed to sustain diplomatic engagements moving forward.
During a news conference in Beijing on Monday, Secretary Blinken expressed that while not all issues can be resolved daily, substantial progress has been achieved in various areas based on the terms set for the trip, signaling forward momentum.
President Biden recently stated to reporters his intention to meet with President Xi within the next few months.
Elaborating on ongoing tensions, the president highlighted that while China’s leader was “embarrassed” by the balloon incident, the primary source of his distress was Biden’s efforts to strengthen ties among the Quad countries (United States, India, Australia, and Japan) as a counterbalance to China’s assertiveness.
Biden mentioned that the Chinese president called him, expressing concerns and asking him to reconsider those efforts, as they put China in a challenging position. The objective, Biden emphasized, is to ensure open international air and sea lanes in accordance with established rules.
The White House’s increased engagement with the Quad leaders, known as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, forms part of the broader US strategy to enhance diplomatic relations with South Pacific countries and reestablish engagement in that region.
Published 11:20 PM EDT, Tue June 20, 2023