Berlin
China reacted to the German Foreign Minister’s statements.
(Photo: via REUTERS)
Beijing has complained about critical statements made by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock about state and party leader Xi Jinping. The Chinese government is highly dissatisfied with the Green Party politician’s remark that Xi is a dictator, the Foreign Ministry said on Monday at its regular press conference in Beijing.
This statement is “absurd” and seriously violates China’s dignity. The Chinese Foreign Ministry further explained that it was an “open political provocation” – they had complained in Berlin.
Baerbock gave an interview to the US television channel Fox during her multi-day trip to the USA last week and called the Chinese head of state and party leader a dictator. In connection with a call for further support for Ukraine, Baerbock said: “If Putin were to win, what kind of signal would that be to other dictators in the world?”
In this context, Baerbock explicitly mentioned the Chinese state and party leader Xi Jinping. “That’s why Ukraine must win the war.”
This is not the first time that a government official from a democratic country has publicly called Xi Jinping a “dictator.” It was only in June that US President Joe Biden indirectly called China’s head of state and party leader a dictator in connection with the balloon affair. At that time, too, the Chinese government rejected the allegations as “absurd”.
Xi wants to present himself as a democrat
In propaganda to their own people, Xi is portrayed as a democratic leader without flaws. By this logic, Xi is elected through the Communist Party and represents the interests of the people.
>> Read also: In an interview with the controversial TV channel Fox News, Baerbock calls for support for Ukraine
However, China experts such as US professor Susan Shirk have long described Xi as a dictator. In fact, since taking office in 2012, Xi has consolidated more and more power and is now at least equal to the former leader of the Communist Party Mao Zedong, under whose dictatorial rule millions of people died.
Xi is head of the Communist Party, head of state, supreme commander of the military and holds many other leadership positions. In recent years, he has eliminated opponents through tough corruption campaigns and has further curtailed freedom of the press and freedom of expression through ever stricter surveillance. There are no multiple parties or free elections in China anyway.
Xi is known, among other things, for his rigorous crackdown on opposition figures.
(Photo: via REUTERS)
After peaceful protests against the government’s draconian corona measures last year, numerous demonstrators, especially young women, were subsequently imprisoned for weeks and months.
German Foreign Minister Baerbock is known for her clear statements – not only towards Russia, but also towards the Chinese government. During her meeting with then Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang in April, there was a real exchange of blows.
After just a few months in office, Qin has since been replaced by his predecessor Wang Yi. There is only speculation about the reasons for the impeachment, and Qin has been missing for several months. There has also been no trace of Defense Minister Li Shangfu since the end of August.
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