Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
IRGC sources tell Al Mayadeen that reports of Iranian missile strikes on northern Iraq are false, calling them rumors spread by enemy-linked media.
Trump: Venezuela airspace should be considered 'closed in its entirety'
AFP: Ukraine behind attack on Russian 'shadow fleet' tankers in Black Sea
Sheikh Qassem: We, our allies, the honorable in our nation, our people, and our army will never accept being subservient to the US or 'Israel'
Sheikh Qassem: They must despair, for whatever they do, this people cannot be defeated or broken, and we shall neither fall nor yield
Sheikh Qassem: Threats neither advance nor delay matters, yet the possibility of war or its absence exists because 'Israel' and the US are weighing their options
Sheikh Qassem: All these threats are simply a form of political pressure after a whole year of efforts proved ineffective
Sheikh Qassem: 'Israel's' 'servants' in Lebanon are few, but they cause problems by obstructing the country’s stability, growth, and liberation alongside the US and 'Israel'
Sheikh Qassem: Weapons block 'Israel’s' project, and anyone seeking disarmament plays into 'Israel’s' hands
Sheikh Qassem: The agreement came because we held fast, empowered by our vision, our faith, our will, our people, our patriotism, and our unwavering attachment to our land

Biden calls Xi 'embarrassed dictator' shortly after Blinken's visit

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 21 Jun 2023 09:43
3 Min Read

China slams Biden's remarks as "extremely absurd and irresponsible."

  • x
  • Biden calls Xi an 'embarrassed dictator': 'I'm serious'
    US President Joe Biden during an event on the creation of new manufacturing jobs at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, April 25, 2023 (AFP)

The United States President Joe Biden called Chinese President Xi Jinping a "dictator" less than one day after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken ended his trip to Beijing to revive better relations.

Blinken's trip comes in light of heightened tensions between the two global powers. The purpose of this visit was to improve relations that had fallen to all-time lows amid US provocations with regard to Taiwan and the South China Sea.

During a speech at a Democratic Party fundraiser in California, Biden claimed that Xi was "upset" because he was not aware that the [Chinese] balloon changed its course and flew over the US before being shot down by the Air Force.

Read more: Biden asks God to 'save the Queen, Man' in anti-gun rally

"The reason why Xi Jinping got very upset in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two box cars full of spy equipment is he didn't know it was there," Biden said.

"I'm serious. That was the great embarrassment for dictators, when they didn't know what happened," he added.

"That wasn't supposed to be going where it was... and he [Xi] didn't know about it," Biden continued. "When it got shot down he was very embarrassed and he denied it was even there."

Responding to Biden's comments Wednesday, Beijing slammed them as an "open political provocation."

"The relevant remarks by the US side are extremely absurd and irresponsible, they seriously violate basic facts, diplomatic protocol and China's political dignity," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a briefing.

"China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to this," she added.

Commenting on Blinken's recent visit to China, the US President considered that "we're in a situation now where he wants to have a relationship again."

The US Secretary of State "did a good job" on his China trip, but "it's going to take time," Biden added.

Blinken's visit was originally planned to take place in February but was postponed following heightened tensions between the two countries after Washington claimed that a Chinese "spy" balloon flew over the country's airspace.

Read more: China to US: Choose conflict or cooperation, 'no room' for compromise

On Monday, Biden said the relationship between the US and China is on the "right trail" following Blinken's visit to Beijing during which he met and spoke with top Chinese leaders, including Xi. 

Blinken reiterated several times throughout his visit that the US does not support Taiwan's independence, but China's "proactive actions" were cause for concern in the region. 

Touching upon the recent summit held by Quad leaders, consisting of the US, Australia, India, and Japan, the US President confirmed that the security bloc is "working hand in glove in the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean."

"What he (Xi) was really upset about was that I insisted that we unite the... so-called Quad," Biden said.

The anti-China coalition, which was established in 2004, was dismantled in 2008 over Australian fears of upsetting Beijing and American declined interest. The assembly was later revived in 2017 during the former US President Donald Trump's administration as the American leader adopted a hostile foreign policy on China.

  • United States
  • Anthony Blinken
  • Beijing
  • Quad
  • US
  • China
  • Xi Jinping
  • Joe Biden

Most Read

13 elite Israeli troops were wounded in a confrontations in Beit Jinn, Syria.

13 elite Israeli troops wounded in confrontations in southern Syria

  • West Asia
  • 28 Nov 2025
Hezbollah announces the martyrdom of Haitham al-Tabatabai

Hezbollah announces the martyrdom of commander Haitham Tabatabai

  • West Asia
  • 23 Nov 2025
Hezbollah publishes biography of martyred leader Haitham al-Tabatabai

Hezbollah publishes biography of martyred leader Haitham Tabatabai

  • Politics
  • 23 Nov 2025
Hezbollah releases the names of the four martyred with Tabatabai

Hezbollah releases the names of the 4 martyred alongside Tabatabai

  • West Asia
  • 24 Nov 2025

Coverage

All
In Five

Read Next

All
U.S. F-35 fighter jets fly over José Aponte de la Torre Airport in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, Friday, September 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Alejandro Granadillo)
Politics

Venezuela condemns US 'colonial-style' threat to national airspace

Palestinians walk through the destruction left by the Israeli air and ground offensive in Gaza City, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Gaza death toll exceeds 70,000 as Israeli crimes continue

Ireland removes name of former Israeli president from Dublin park
Europe

Ireland removes name of Ex. Israeli regime president from Dublin park

Gazan brothers Jomaa and Fadi Abu Assi, 8 and 9, in an undated photo (Social media)
Politics

Gaza: Two brothers, aged 8 and 9, killed by 'Israel' on their way home

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS