China has called comments by President Joe Biden describing Chinese leader Xi Jinping as a dictator “extremely absurd and irresponsible.” The new clash of words comes just over a day after Secretary of State Antony Blinken concluded a visit to Beijing that sought to break the ice in a relationship that has hit a historical low. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on Wednesday said Biden's comments at a fundraiser in California ‘go totally against facts and seriously violate diplomatic protocol, and severely infringe on China’s political dignity. It is a blatant political provocation. China expresses strong dissatisfaction and opposition.’
