New Zealand PM Chris Hipkins disagrees with Biden, says Xi Jinping is not a 'dictator'

President Joe Biden on Tuesday called Xi Jinping a dictator, in off-the-cuff remarks made a day after his secretary and top US diplomat Antony Blinken visited Beijing to stabilize bilateral relations and try to ease tensions between the two countries

FP Staff|Jun 22, 2023, 15:37:59 IST

Ahead of his visit to China, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins dismissed US President Joe Biden's claim that Xi Jinping is a "dictator"."No, and the form of government that China has is a matter for the Chinese people," Hipkins said.Asked by a reporter whether the Chinese people had a say in the form of government, Hipkins said: "If they wanted to change their system of government, then that would be a matter for them."

The Kiwi leader is expected to leave for China from June 25 to 30 where he will discuss trade delegations with Chinese authorities. He will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping,Premier Li Qiang, and the chairman of the standing committee of the National People's Congress, Zhao Leji.

China hit back on Wednesday after Biden referred to President Xi Jinping as a "dictator", saying the remarks were absurd and a provocation, an unexpected flare-up following attempts by both sides to reduce friction.President Joe Biden on Tuesday called Xi Jinping a dictator, in off-the-cuff remarks made a day after his secretary and top US diplomat Antony Blinken visited Beijing to stabilize bilateral relations and try to ease tensions between the two countries.Antony Blinken became the first top US diplomat to visit China in five years, and his trip was in the shadow of Covid-19, Taiwan tensions, and the controversy related to the ‘spy balloon’ episode.Biden also said Xi was very embarrassed when a suspected Chinese spy balloon was blown off course over US airspace early this year, making a personal comment on the Chinese leader when Blinken said on Monday the “chapter” should be closed.Even after Joe Biden compared China’s leader to embarrassed “dictators,” the White House stated on Wednesday that it had “every expectation” that the senior US diplomat’s recent visit to Beijing will result in improved relations.A senior administration official said on Wednesday that US State Secretary Antony Blinken “made some progress” during a long-awaited visit to China.“We have every expectation of building on that progress,” the official said.With inputs from Reuters

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

US set to announce new tariff plan as temporary 10% duty nears expiry

The White House said a tariff announcement will be made later on Thursday, with the Trump administration preparing fresh duties on around 60 economies, including India, China and the European Union.

2 min read

India rejects Pakistan's 'baseless' claims at Asean, says Indus Waters Treaty to remain on hold

India accused Pakistan of misusing the Asean Regional Forum to spread false narratives, reiterating that the Indus Waters Treaty will remain suspended until Islamabad credibly and irrevocably ends cross-border terrorism.

1 min read

Indian trucker arrested in US over alleged theft of $3 million worth of tungsten powder

A 39-year-old Indian national living illegally in the US has been arrested in California after authorities alleged he stole a truck carrying nearly $3 million worth of hazardous tungsten powder.

1 min read

Austria turns Hitler’s birthplace into a police station 81 years after his death: 5 things to know

Austrian authorities inaugurated a police station at the birthplace of Adolf Hitler after years of debate around the site’s troubled legacy.

3 min read

Nawaz Sharif wants to become prime minister of PoK — but laws framed by Pakistan disqualify him

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that he would ask his brother, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, to appoint him as the Prime Minister of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK). But the Constitution bars him from making such a move.