Beijing summoned German ambassador for talks over Baerbock's statement calling Xi Jinping a dictator

(Patria) - Beijing summoned the German ambassador to China after Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called President Xi Jinping a "dictator", Berlin announced.

Baerbock, who advocates for a tougher stance on China, made these remarks in an interview with Fox News on September 14 during a visit to the United States, AFP reported.
Speaking about the war in Ukraine, she said:

"If Putin wins this war, what kind of signal would that send to other dictators in the world, like Xi, like the Chinese President? So, Ukraine must win this war."

A spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry in Berlin confirmed that the German ambassador "was summoned to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (on Sunday)" in relation to this.
Confirmation that China had summoned Ambassador Patricia Flor came after China earlier on Monday said it was "strongly dissatisfied" with the German minister's remarks.

"(The comments) are extremely absurd and represent a serious violation of China's political dignity and are an open political provocation," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.

Asked about China's protests over her statements during her visit to New York, Baerbock merely replied that she had "taken note" of them.

A government spokesperson declined to comment on Chancellor Olaf Scholz's stance on these remarks, but added that it is clear "that China is governed by a communist, one-party regime, and it is also clear that this does not correspond to our idea of democracy".