US Secretary of State Antony Blinken sidestepped a direct answer when asked whether he views Chinese President Xi Jinping as a dictator, a question that echoed in the room as an ABC News report captured the moment. The inquiry came from a television host who pressed Blinken to label Xi Jinping a dictator, recalling the tense moment captured during a press conference on November 15 following a meeting between President Joe Biden and Xi Jinping. The host highlighted the visible strain on Blinken as the question was posed, noting the weigh-in of the moment in the public record.
Blinken avoided a blunt verdict, instead emphasizing that the United States and China maintain very different political systems. He stated that President Biden consistently communicates clearly and represents the administration’s stance to the American people. The exchange occurred on the eve of a bilateral session between Biden and Xi that was described as lasting less than two and a half hours and focused on a broad range of strategic issues.
In a broader frame, Xi Jinping used his remarks before the White House meeting to warn that escalating conflict between the United States and China would bring unbearable consequences for both nations. He argued that competition between states should not become the prevailing approach and that such a path would fail to resolve the core problems facing China, the United States, and the wider international community.
Earlier discussions in Washington featured a clear statement on Taiwan, with U S officials reiterating opposition to Taiwan independence and underscoring the complexities of cross-strait relations amid shifting regional security dynamics. The dialogue reflected the ongoing effort by both sides to manage tensions and seek common ground on issues ranging from security to economic policy and climate cooperation.