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 Cambodian Times 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 Cambodian Times.
More InformationWASHINGTON, DC - U.S. President Donald Trump has joined Israel's war on Yemen's Houthis, days after the group said it would resume...
LOMPOC, California: NASA launched a new telescope into space this week to study the origins of the universe and search for hidden water...
AUSTIN/SANTA FE: Texas/New Mexico have reported 28 new measles cases in the past five days, bringing the total to 256 since the outbreak...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that helicopters will be permanently banned from flying near Washington...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: The U.S. must accelerate its efforts to develop fusion energy or risk losing its edge to China, Virginia Governor...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: In the past 20 years, China has become the world's top shipbuilder, producing more than half of all commercial ships....
(250316) -- SAN FRANCISCO, March 16, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Jimmy Butler (L) of Golden State Warriors drives the ball during the 2024-2025...
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 16 (ANI): A dream run continued for New Zealand and Mumbai Indians (MI) all-rounder Amelia Kerr...
(250316) -- AUGSBURG, March 16, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Philip Tietz (R) of FC Augsburg celebrates his goal during the German first division...
(Photo credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images) Jordan Poole swished a 35-foot, 3-pointer with 1.8 seconds left to give the visiting Washington...
(250316) -- HOUSTON, March 16, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Alperen Sengun (Top) of Houston Rockets goes for a layup during the 2024-2025 NBA regular...
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 16 (ANI): Following Delhi Capitals' heartbreaking loss in the Women's Premier League (WPL) final...