RT.com
19 Sep 2023, 01:43 GMT+10
Beijing has strongly criticized the German FM for labeling President Xi a despot, calling her words ?open political provocation?
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has summoned German ambassador Patricia Flor after Berlin's top diplomat, Annalena Baerbock, referred to Chinese President Xi Jinping as a "dictator."
The ambassador "was summoned to the Chinese Foreign Ministry [on Sunday]," a spokesman from the German Foreign Ministry told AFP on Monday.
Baerbock made her remark while on a visit to New York on Thursday. Speaking to Fox News, she claimed that if the West allowed Ukraine to lose its conflict with Russia, this would embolden "other dictators in the world...Like Xi, the Chinese president."
Beijing was "extremely dissatisfied" with Baerbock's words, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters earlier on Monday. Mao said that Baerbock's "absurd" comments "violate China's political dignity" and are tantamount to an "open political provocation."
Relations between Berlin and Beijing have deteriorated as of late, with Germany calling for reduced economic reliance on China in its first-ever China strategy, which was published in July. Despite China being Germany's largest trading partner, the document branded Beijing a "systemic rival."
In labeling Xi a "dictator," Baerbock followed in the footsteps of US President Joe Biden, who applied the same descriptor to the Chinese leader in June. Biden's statement came immediately after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Xi in Beijing, and reportedly caused American officials to reassure their Chinese counterparts that Biden's words did not represent a shift in US policy.
(RT.com)
Get a daily dose of Asia Pacific Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Asia Pacific Star.
More InformationDHARAMSHALA, India: The Dalai Lama turned 90 on July 6, celebrated by thousands of followers in the Himalayan town of Dharamshala,...
HONG KONG: China has fired back at the European Union in an escalating trade dispute by imposing new restrictions on medical device...
Phnom Penh [Cambodia], July 12 (ANI): Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita reaffirmed the 'strong and enduring...
The arbitration has in fact become an anchor around the Filipino people's neck, weighing the nation down economically, said Herman...
New Delhi [India], July 12 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday stated that every India is elated with this recognition...
New Delhi [India], July 12 (ANI): The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has underlined India's increasing involvement in the Indo-Pacific...
REDMOND, Washington: Artificial intelligence is transforming Microsoft's bottom line. The company saved over US$500 million last year...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: A federal rule designed to make it easier for Americans to cancel subscriptions has been blocked by a U.S. appeals...
BASTROP, Texas: In a surprising turn at Elon Musk's X platform, CEO Linda Yaccarino announced she is stepping down, just months after...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Former British prime minister Rishi Sunak will return to Goldman Sachs in an advisory role, the Wall Street...
LONDON, U.K.: Physically backed gold exchange-traded funds recorded their most significant semi-annual inflow since the first half...
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands: Some 32 percent of global semiconductor production could face climate change-related copper supply disruptions...