President Biden shared details about his numerous encounters with Communist Chinese President Xi Jinping during his tenure as vice president, including private discussions between the two leaders. Speaking from Chicago on Wednesday about his economic agenda, known as “Bidenomics,” the president highlighted his long-standing engagement with Xi.
“I’ve long said, and I mean this, I was on the Tibetan Plateau with Xi Jinping,” Biden revealed. “I’ve traveled 17,000 miles with him. I’ve spoke with him more than any other head of state because it started when I was vice president and President Hu was the president and he was the vice president. We knew he was gonna be the successor.”
BIDEN: "It was inappropriate for Barack to spend time with [Xi Jinping] but I spent a lot of time with him. I met alone with him, just he and I… 68 times, 68 hours, 68 times — more than 68 hours — by the way, I turned in all my notes.” pic.twitter.com/LBu3PPlKcI
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) June 28, 2023
The president acknowledged that such extensive interactions with the murderous Communist dictator were deemed inappropriate during the Obama administration.
He stressed, though, that he personally spent significant time with Xi, recounting their 68 face-to-face meetings, totaling over 68 hours, often with a simultaneous interpreter present.
NEW – Biden: "I was in the foothills of the Himalayas with Xi Jinping."pic.twitter.com/ulgJ7RsObh
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) April 8, 2022
Biden assured that he has fully complied with regulations, stating, “By the way, I turned in all my notes.”
Republicans on the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability responded to Biden’s remarks, affirming that it was no surprise that he had met with Xi Jinping on 68 occasions. They further pointed out that companies linked to the Chinese Communist Party were the Biden family’s prominent clients, emphasizing potential conflicts of interest.
Earlier this month, Biden faced criticism from China after referring to Xi as a dictator during a fundraiser in California. Despite the backlash, the president defended his comment, asserting that it has not negatively affected the working relationship between the United States and China.
Biden stares confusingly and refuses to answer as he's repeatedly asked if he regrets calling Xi Jinping a "dictator" pic.twitter.com/oy0vm8Rrgd
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 22, 2023
When asked about the impact of calling Xi a dictator on the U.S.-China relationship, Biden responded with a firm “no.”
While China condemned Biden’s characterization of Xi as a dictator, labeling it “extremely absurd and irresponsible,” the president stood by his remarks. He expressed confidence that the relationship between the United States and China is evolving positively, downplaying any significant consequences resulting from his statement.
