In a recent development, China has officially expressed its displeasure with Germany following remarks made by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, who referred to President Xi Jinping as a “dictator.” The Chinese Foreign Ministry has deemed the comment “absurd” and an “open political provocation.”
Baerbock’s statement came during a live interview with Fox News when asked about Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine. He said: “If Putin wins this war, will the signal be sent to other world leaders, like Xi Jinping, like the Chinese president?”. Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, strongly criticized Baerbock’s comments, labeling them as “extremely absurd” and asserting that they infringed upon China’s political dignity. During a regular press briefing, Mao confirmed that China had officially lodged a complaint with Germany over the matter.
Baerbock is known for her outspoken criticisms of China. In August, she expressed concerns about China challenging the “fundamentals of how we live together in this world.” She had previously described certain aspects of her trip to China as “more than shocking” and suggested that Beijing was evolving from a trade partner into a systemic rival.
This incident follows a similar remark by U.S. President Joe Biden in June when he also referred to President Xi Jinping as a “dictator.” Biden’s comment came shortly after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited China, which aimed to stabilize bilateral relations between the two superpowers.
The use of such strong language in international diplomacy underscores the complexities of global relations, as countries navigate their interactions with China, one of the world’s most influential nations. The situation between China and Germany raises concerns about the future of their diplomatic ties and the impact of such rhetoric on international cooperation.
As tensions simmer, the world watches closely to see how this diplomatic dispute unfolds and whether it will affect the relationship between China and Germany.