'Absurd': China protests Germany calling Xi 'dictator'
Beijing's remarks come after top German diplomat calls Chinese president a 'dictator'
Chinese President Xi Jinping makes a speech during the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa on August 24, 2023. ( File Photo - Anadolu Agency )
ISTANBUL
China on Monday condemned Germany for calling Chinese President Xi Jinping a “dictator,” calling it “absurd.”
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said: “China strongly disapproves of and firmly opposes the remarks made by the German foreign minister regarding Chinese leader,” Beijing-based Global Times reported.
“The remarks made by the German side were utterly absurd. Such comments gravely infringe upon China's political dignity and amount to an open political provocation,” she said at a news conference in Beijing.
She added: “China has lodged a serious representation with Germany through diplomatic channels.”
Last week, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said in an interview: "If (Russian President Vladimir) Putin were to win this war, what sign would that be for other dictators in the world, like Xi (Jinping) like the Chinese president?"
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