Biden's 'Dictator' Remark Defended Amid Blinken's Reaction - APEC Summit Fallout
- Posted on November 17, 2023
- International Conflict and Politics
- By Arijit Dutta
- 258 Views
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken defended President Biden's labeling of Chinese President Xi Jinping as a "dictator" during the APEC Summit. Blinken affirmed Biden's right to candid expression despite a viral video showing Blinken's apparent disagreement with the statement, sparking a debate.
Amidst
rising tensions between the US and China, Secretary of State Antony Blinken
staunchly supported President Joe Biden's recent characterization of Chinese
leader Xi Jinping as a "dictator" during the Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC) summit.
In
the wake of Biden's forthright remarks, a video capturing Blinken's seemingly
disapproving reaction went viral on various social media platforms. However,
Blinken clarified in subsequent statements that the President's candid
expressions reflect the collective stance of the US government.
Responding
to inquiries about whether Biden's comments represented official US policy,
Blinken assured that the President "speaks for all of us." He
acknowledged the evident disparities between the political systems of the two
nations, stating, "It's not exactly a secret that we have two very
different systems." Furthermore, Blinken emphasized that the US would
continue to express opinions that may not align with China's preferences,
echoing the reciprocal nature of diplomatic discourse.
In interviews with CBS News and NBC News, Blinken reiterated the divergence in systems between the US and China. He emphasized the importance of the concrete outcomes achieved during the recent meeting between Biden and Xi Jinping, emphasizing that the diplomatic discussions aimed to prevent the relationship from veering into conflict.
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Biden's
characterization of Xi Jinping as a "dictator" has previously drawn
objections from China. However, Blinken defended the President's candid
approach, emphasizing its alignment with the US commitment to open and
transparent communication in international relations.
In conclusion, the ongoing diplomatic exchanges between the US and China, marked by Biden's unreserved statements, underscore the complexities of the geopolitical landscape. Blinken's steadfast defense of the President's remarks reinforces the administration's commitment to addressing differences while striving for meaningful diplomatic outcomes.