President Joe Biden’s recent remarks about Chinese leader Xi Jinping and China’s economic difficulties have sparked condemnation from China, creating a new rift between the two countries. The comments came just after the two nations agreed to tentative steps to stabilize their relationship.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning criticized Biden’s comments as “extremely absurd and irresponsible.” The clash of words follows Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Beijing, which aimed to improve the strained relationship between the two countries. While the talks were seen as productive, they did not result in any significant breakthroughs beyond an agreement to cooperate and compete in various areas.
China’s swift response to Biden’s remarks raises concerns about whether the progress made during Blinken’s visit will be undone or if the two sides will move forward. Biden’s characterization of China comes as the campaign for the next presidential election is already underway, with Republicans accusing him of being weak on China.
Biden was also preparing to welcome Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Washington for a state visit, where a shared wariness of China would be a central theme.
During a fundraiser in California, Biden referred to a recent incident involving a Chinese spy balloon that flew over U.S. skies. He depicted Xi as out-of-touch and embarrassed by the incident, which ended with the Air Force shooting down the balloon. Biden’s remarks also downplayed China’s trade competition, highlighting the country’s economic difficulties.
Mao responded to Biden’s remarks by stating that they “go totally against facts and seriously violate diplomatic protocol, and severely infringe on China’s political dignity.” Mao also reiterated China’s version of the balloon incident, claiming it was for meteorological research and had been blown off course accidentally.
Administration officials indicated that Biden had no intention of retracting his comments. They emphasized the need to maintain open lines of communication with China while being forthright about their differences, particularly regarding the global competition between democracies and autocracies.
Tensions between the U.S. and China have been escalating for years due to trade disputes, global influence, and other issues. The U.S. is urging China to establish direct communications between Biden, Xi, and other senior military and civilian leaders to defuse tensions and prevent incidents from escalating.
Despite diplomatic efforts to improve relations, analysts point to Republican political pressure and Biden’s tendency to criticize Xi off-script. Biden’s state of the union address in February, where he was heckled by Republican lawmakers over China, was cited as an example. Bonnie Glaser, Asia director of the George Marshall Fund of the United States, noted that Biden wants to avoid being seen as soft on China and views Xi as a dictator.
Xi is likely upset by the claim that he was not fully informed about the balloon incident, according to Steve Tsang, director of the China Institute at the London University School of Oriental and African Studies. Tsang believes Xi may not want to overreact and further strain the relationship.
The initial Republican response to Biden’s remarks was approving, with Senator Marco Rubio stating that it was an appropriate description of China’s system of government
How does Biden’s focus on China’s economic difficulties instead of trade competition impact the narrative surrounding his stance on China in the upcoming presidential election
Ntry’s economic difficulties instead.
China’s response to Biden’s comments reflects a growing tension between the two nations, despite recent attempts to stabilize their relationship. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning criticized Biden’s remarks as “absurd and irresponsible,” creating a new rift between the countries.
The clash of words comes after Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Beijing, which aimed to improve the strained relationship. While the talks were seen as productive, they did not result in significant breakthroughs beyond a general agreement to cooperate and compete in various areas.
China’s quick and critical response to Biden’s remarks raises concerns about the progress made during Blinken’s visit and whether it will be undone. Additionally, Biden’s characterization of China comes as the campaign for the next presidential election is underway, with Republicans accusing him of being weak on China.
Biden’s remarks also coincide with his preparation to welcome Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a state visit, where a shared wariness of China would be a key topic.
During a fundraiser in California, Biden mentioned a recent incident involving a Chinese spy balloon flying over U.S. skies. He portrayed Xi as out-of-touch and embarrassed by the incident, with the Air Force ultimately shooting down the balloon. Biden’s comments focused on China’s economic difficulties rather than its trade competition.
It is crucial for both China and the United States to maintain a constructive dialogue based on mutual respect and understanding. While China’s condemnation of Biden’s remarks on Xi Jinping may signal a setback, it is vital for both nations to prioritize open communication and find common ground in order to sustain a fragile relationship.
It’s disheartening to witness the deteriorating state of the fragile relationship between China and the United States. Both sides must find common ground and engage in constructive dialogue rather than resorting to condemnations, in order to maintain stability in the global context.