In the complex world of international diplomacy, every word matters. This was made abundantly clear when President Joe Biden referred to Chinese President Xi Jinping as a ‘dictator’, a comment that sparked a wave of controversy and criticism. This statement, a significant part of Biden’s China strategy, came just after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to China, where he made significant strides in stabilizing the strained relations between the two superpowers. This raises the question: why would Biden make such a potentially damaging comment in the wake of diplomatic progress?
Biden’s comment came at a fundraiser in California, where he referred to an incident involving a suspected Chinese spy balloon that was blown off course over U.S. airspace. He suggested that Xi was embarrassed by the incident, which was not supposed to happen. Biden’s comment was met with strong backlash from China, with the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson calling the remarks “extremely absurd” and “irresponsible”. They were seen as a violation of diplomatic protocol and a serious affront to China’s political dignity, adding a new layer of complexity to US-China relations.
On the other hand, Blinken’s visit to China was marked by a rare and significant diplomatic engagement. He met with President Xi Jinping and other top Chinese officials, with both parties agreeing to stabilize their intense rivalry to prevent it from escalating into conflict. Despite the lack of major breakthroughs, the visit was seen as a step in the right direction, with both sides agreeing to continue diplomatic engagement and more visits by U.S. officials in the coming weeks and months.
Interestingly, during his visit, Blinken made a statement that the U.S. does not support Taiwan’s independence, a comment made during a time of heightened tension between China and Taiwan. This statement, a significant part of US-China diplomacy, could be interpreted as a concession made to China, possibly in exchange for something in return, signaling China’s growing influence on the world stage.
The juxtaposition of Biden’s ‘dictator’ comment and Blinken’s diplomatic progress in China presents a dichotomy that is difficult to reconcile. It seems counterproductive for Biden to make such a comment when Blinken is making progress in mending the strained relations. This raises questions about the coherence of the U.S.’s approach to China and whether there is a disconnect between the President’s rhetoric and the diplomatic actions of his administration.
In the end, the impact of Biden’s comment on the progress made by Blinken remains to be seen. While some analysts believe that the comment could damage mutual trust and affect future engagements, others believe that it will not erase the progress made by Blinken. As the U.S. and China continue to navigate their complex relationship in the backdrop of the ongoing US-China trade war, it is clear that every word and action will be scrutinized and will have significant implications for international relations.
