TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Beijing condemned the statement of the President of the United States Joe Biden on his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, who was seen as facing “big trouble”. China views the comments as highly irresponsible.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing was very dissatisfied with Biden’s statement. China, he stressed, opposed the words of the US leader.
“This type of rhetoric from the US is extremely irresponsible and goes against basic diplomatic ethics,” Mao said in a media briefing on Thursday, February 9, 2023.
Biden argues that Xi Jinping has major problems, including its country’s fragile economy. He believes Xi actually has great potential. However, the president said so far, China’s economy is not doing well.
To face United States of AmericaIn Biden’s view, China is limited in its capabilities by the need to protect international trade. He thinks Xi is in an unenviable position.
“Can you think of another world leader who traded places with Xi Jinping? I can’t think of one. This man has a very big problem,” Biden said in an interview with PBS NewsHourWednesday, February 8, 2023, as quoted France 24.
The latest war of words between Washington and Beijing follows the balloon crash China last week. The White House saw it as part of a spy kit that spanned five continents.
Beijing, in today’s press release, reiterated that the balloon shot by Washington had a civilian purpose. Mao said it was a piece of misinformation about China.
“The US ignored China’s repeated explanations and communications, overreacted, and irresponsible abuse of force,” Mao said.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken last week announced a last-minute cancellation of a trip to Beijing. The cause of tensions flared again due to the emergence of a Chinese balloon at high altitude over the United States.
Biden met face-to-face with Xi last November on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Bali. The reception was the first time since he became US president in 2021. They also spoke in five phone or video calls in that time.
NDTV | FRANCE 24
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