China Decries Biden's Off-Script 'Dictator Xi' Comment As "Extremely Wrong" Political Maneuvering

With the summit wrapped up, and Xi's plane headed back to Beijing, the Chinese government on Thursday issued its first reaction to Biden calling Xi a "dictator" - which it should be emphasized was said while Xi was literally still there in San Francisco (if not still in the same venue or building):

President Joe Biden’s description of Chinese leader Xi Jinping as a dictator is “extremely wrong,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said Thursday at a regular press briefing in Beijing.

Mao slammed the remark as "irresponsible political maneuvering" - and likely there is much more condemnation out of China to come. This could be only the beginning. 

For all the screeching about Trump allegedly destroying diplomatic relationships, I don't recall him ever doing something so wildly boneheaded as blowing up a summit with China by calling President Xi a "dictator," while Xi was still physically present in the US attending events! pic.twitter.com/HXFv3QPay7

— Michael Tracey (@mtracey) November 16, 2023

Cameras caught Secretary Blinken's reaction in real time, which strongly suggests the White House was immediately sent scrambling to try and fix the mess...