Biden refers to Xi as a “dictator” following the US-China Summit
"Well, look at him," Biden responded when asked if he would still call Xi a dictator.
On Wednesday, during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, President Joe Biden welcomed President Xi Jinping of China at the Filoli Estate in Woodside, California.
At their first meeting in a year on Wednesday, US President Joe and Chinese President Xi Jinping decided to resume military communications, despite deviating from the script and declaring that he continued to regard Xi as a “dictator.”
The goal of the four-hour meeting between the leaders of the world’s top economies was to keep mounting tensions between them from escalating into war. The leaders shook hands and strolled through a garden at a historic California home.
Additionally, they decided that China will take strong action against the manufacture of fentanyl, the substance that is causing a lethal pandemic of opioid abuse in the United States.
However, Xi and Biden disagreed on the larger issue of Taiwan, with the Chinese president asking his US colleague to stop arming the island and declaring that reunification was “unstoppable.”
Beijing claims authority over the self-governing democracy and has not ruled out a military takeover.
The two presidents hadn’t seen in person since November 2022, when they met in Bali, and relations had deteriorated after the US shot down an alleged Chinese spy balloon in February of this year.
However, at a news conference at the Filoli estate in California, stated that his meetings with Xi, whom he has known since 2011, were “some of the most constructive and productive discussions we’ve had.”
‘He’s a dictator,’ says Biden
The US would compete “vigorously” but “responsibly” with an increasingly aggressive China “so it doesn’t veer into conflict or accidental conflict,” he added.
“He and I agreed that each one of us could pick up the phone, call directly and we’ll be heard immediately,” he added.
Additionally, he said it was “critically important” to restore high-level US-China military-to-military ties, which China cut when then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in 2022.
Furthermore, the two sides agreed to hold talks on artificial intelligence and to strengthen climate change cooperation ahead of the COP 28 summit in Dubai next month.
A day of meticulously rehearsed diplomacy, however, concluded with a less-than-diplomatic remark as Biden walked offstage after his news conference.
“Well, look at him,” Biden responded when asked if he would still call Xi a dictator, as he did in June, prompting a furious response from Beijing at the time.
“I mean he’s a dictator in the sense that he’s a guy who’s running a country, a Communist country, that’s based on a form of government totally different than ours.”
Diplomats had spent months attempting to get the negotiations to take place, and then organising the smallest arrangements at the luxury estate, which had appeared in the 1980s US television soap opera “Dynasty.”
The carefully designed symbolism included red carpet handshakes, representatives sitting on either side of a massive table, and and Xi taking the air in the grounds.
They also had herbed ricotta ravioli and tarragon chicken with gold rice pilaf for lunch.
‘Taiwan should not be armed.’
During their garden walk, Xi and Biden waved to reporters, and offered two thumbs up when asked how the meetings went.
Earlier, the Chinese leader warned that “turning their backs on each other was not an option,” adding that “Planet Earth is big enough for the two countries to succeed.”
Biden and Xi also discussed the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, in which their governments have taken different positions.
However, following the talks, Xi had harsh words for, notably on the matter of Taiwan.
According to a readout from China’s foreign ministry, Xi told Biden, “The US side should… stop arming Taiwan and support China’s peaceful reunification.”
“China will realise reunification, and this is unstoppable.”
Russia, China’s partner in what Washington sees as a burgeoning authoritarian alliance, welcomed the conference, calling it “important for everyone.”
After the conference, Biden and Xi’s contacts demonstrated where their objectives for “responsible competition” lie.
Biden spoke during a welcome reception for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in San Francisco, a critical sphere of influence for the US.
However, following the talks, Xi had harsh words for Biden, notably on the matter of Taiwan.
According to a readout from China’s foreign ministry, Xi told Biden, “The US side should… stop arming Taiwan and support China’s peaceful reunification.”
“China will realise reunification, and this is unstoppable.”
Russia, China’s partner in what Washington sees as a burgeoning authoritarian alliance, welcomed the conference, calling it “important for everyone.”
After the conference, Biden and Xi’s contacts demonstrated where their objectives for “responsible competition” lie.
Biden spoke during a welcome reception for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in San Francisco, a critical sphere of influence for the US.
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