Biden Calls Xi a Dictator, China Protests. Kirby: 'A Demarche Is a Demarche. That Happens All the Time' (June 23, 2023)

President Joe Biden had called China’s leader a dictator at a fundraiser, and Beijing protested. On June 23, 2023, a reporter asked National Security Council spokesman John Kirby whether that counted as a consequence.

“John, the President said in his comments yesterday that his — he doesn’t believe his China comments have had any consequence. Isn’t China issuing a demarche to the U.S. Ambassador in Beijing a consequence?” the reporter, whom Kirby called Jeremy, asked [1].

“If demarches issued by nations against other nations were some sort of bellwether for whether a relationship was collapsing or — or in any danger —” Kirby began. “I didn’t say collapsing,” the reporter said. “I mean, my goodness,” Kirby said, according to the official White House transcript [1].

“I said a ‘consequence,’” the reporter repeated. “A demarche is a demarche. That happens all the time,” Kirby said. “It doesn’t happen every day,” the reporter shot back [1].

The video above shows the exchange at the June 23, 2023, briefing. Quotes are from the official White House transcript and the American Presidency Project [1][2].

”A Great Embarrassment for Dictators”

The remark came three days earlier at a campaign reception in Kentfield, California. Biden was talking about the Chinese spy balloon. “And the reason why Xi Jinping got very upset in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two boxcars full of spy equipment in it is, he didn’t know it was there. No, I’m serious. That’s what’s a great embarrassment for dictators, when they didn’t know what happened,” Biden said [2].

“Don’t worry about China. I mean, worry about China, but don’t worry about China. [ Laughter ]” Biden told the donors [2].

He said Xi had called him about the Quad, the alliance with India, Australia and Japan. “He called me and told me not to do that because it was putting him in a bind,” Biden said [2].

Kirby defended the President’s bluntness. “We — we’re not bashful about speaking plainly about some of the concerns and issues that we have with — with the PRC and with the challenges that they propose. And the President is very forthright in the way he addresses those challenges and the complicated nature of this relationship,” he said when first asked about China’s complaint [1].

”That Wasn’t a Disclosure”

The reporter asked about another part of the fundraiser remarks. “He also revealed a U.S. intelligence assessment that Xi was not aware of the spy balloon flying over the U.S. in February. What was the strategic value of disclosing that intelligence at a fundraiser?” [1]

“That wasn’t a disclosure. That’s been in the public domain,” Kirby said. “Not — not on the record from any —” the reporter said. “Yeah, it has,” Kirby said. “By who?” the reporter asked. “A senior defense official had talked about it before, on the record, that that was a possibility,” Kirby said [1].

”Because He Believes It”

Another reporter asked why Biden was so sure there was no fallout. “China is reacting differently. So, why is the President saying so confidently that his remark had no — no real con- — consequence?” [1]

“Because he believes it,” Kirby said. “And we’re still in communication with the PRC about moving this relationship forward.” [1]

“Let me ask you this: Other than a demarche, have you seen any other consequences —” the first reporter asked. “No,” Kirby said. “No, nothing.” [1]

Will Biden Apologize?

A reporter said China was threatening to stop helping on North Korea. “If President Biden does not apologize for the ‘dictator’ remark to China, today the Chinese government announced that it will use other methods and China would not ex- — exert influence on North Korean issues. How will you respond to this?” [1] “Do you think the President will be going to apologize (inaudible)?” the reporter asked [1].

“The President was very clear yesterday that he’ll continue to speak forthrightly and bluntly about the challenges that we face with the PRC,” Kirby said [1].

He also urged Beijing to help on North Korea. “Look, we know that Beijing has influence in Pyongyang. And we continue to urge them to use that influence,” Kirby said [1].

”It’s Not for Me to Say”

Later, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked whether the White House agreed. “Will you say that Xi Jinping is a dictator? Is that the official position of the U.S. government?” a reporter asked [1].

“Look, the President spoke for himself. I’m just not going to go beyond what he said,” Jean-Pierre said. Pressed again — “will you say that Xi Jinping is a dictator?” — she said: “It’s not for me to say. The President spoke — spoke for himself. When this President speaks, we listen.” [1]

Her answer was interrupted by a feedback loop in the room. “It’s a new form of message discipline,” a reporter joked. “That’s one way to look at it there, James,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

By the Numbers

2: “boxcars full of spy equipment” Biden said were on the balloon [2].
3 days: between the fundraiser and the briefing [1][2].

What Happened Next

The White House kept defending it. “The President is going to continue to speak candidly. That will never change,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

For Kirby confirming the first object shootdown after the balloon, see HYGO News’ page on Feb. 10, 2023. For Jean-Pierre on Hunter Biden at the same briefing, see the page on June 23, 2023.