Staff Reports
The recent encounter between Xi Jinping and Joe Biden at the APEC summit in Lima, Peru, showcased a masterclass in diplomatic absurdity from the Chinese dictator. Xi, basking in his power as the architect of one of the most repressive regimes in modern history, felt compelled to lecture the outgoing president about the virtues of “human rights” and “democracy”—both of which apparently exist only in Xi’s own twisted narrative. Rumors circulate that Biden’s response could be summed up as a mix of wishful thinking and appeasement, essentially promising that the U.S. wouldn’t challenge China’s iron grip on its own people.
Xi made it crystal clear that the U.S. must tread lightly on what he defined as red lines: human rights violations, Taiwan sovereignty, and, of course, the sacred principle of communism. The irony of a genocidal leader demanding respect for “human rights” is truly rich, and it seems that Xi is more focused on reinforcing his stranglehold over China than on actual dialogue. Supporting Taiwan’s independence was described as crossing a red line, despite Taiwan functioning as a bona fide independent nation that does not take orders from Beijing. This kind of gaslighting raises eyebrows and reminds us that Xi’s definition of diplomacy seems to be synonymous with threats.
Xi tells Biden basically
Your administration is a Hot 🔥 mess "" pic.twitter.com/FT8bWbBsA2— 🔨Robert The Builder 🇺🇸 (@NobodymrRobert) November 18, 2024
One can’t help but chuckle at Biden’s purported response to Xi’s brazen demands. The administration’s strategy appears to hinge on denying a new Cold War exists, while simultaneously bowing to China’s every whim. Reports from the ever-reliable Global Times, which operates more as Xi’s mouthpiece than a legitimate news outlet, noted that Biden reiterated a commitment to a so-called U.S.-China One China policy. The irony here is palpable; a dictator dictates terms, and the leader of the free world offers a meek nod in return.
What was even funnier was Xi’s insistence on the importance of not “challenging red lines,” which almost sounds like a line from a surreal comedy sketch. How many countries host their leaders for a pleasant chat while simultaneously preening their feathers post-genocide? Despite Xi’s warnings, it’s Biden’s duty to remind the world that China has successfully managed to pollute the planet while maintaining an amicable facade for opportunistic international relationships. Further, Xi’s assurance about wanting to maintain a friendship with the U.S. begs the question—what kind of relationship can anyone hope to build with a nation that unabashedly engages in horrific human rights abuses?
While Biden may dream of maintaining a stable relationship during this transitional period, the conversation displayed a remarkable amount of naïveté. Xi’s regime kills, enslaves, and silences its own citizens, while the U.S. seems intent on continuing this dance, all in the name of “cooperation.” With Donald Trump’s incoming administration reportedly aimed at shaking up this status quo, Xi’s heavy-handed threats serve as a preemptive warning against any future attempts to hold China accountable. As new leadership approaches, Xi’s boldness may soon meet the American grit that had previously exposed and undermined his regime’s nefarious practices.
