Biden: "Xi Jinping is smart, a tough man... believes in oligarchy"

Photo by CNN

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] On the 21st (local time), U.S. President Joe Biden referred to Chinese President Xi Jinping as a "smart and very tough guy" during a town hall event hosted by CNN in Cincinnati, Ohio.

President Biden began by saying, "I have a lot of diplomatic experience," mentioning his time as Vice President during the Barack Obama administration.

He continued, "The world is skeptical," and recounted, "When I said at the G7 summit that 'America is back,' it was no joke, but the other leaders all asked, 'Are you really back?'"

He explained that the other leaders, with whom he had developed friendships, expressed doubts by saying, "Joe, we trust you, but how can you bring together these scattered countries again?"

Since taking office, he has pursued an overt policy of checking China and pointed out the rapidly changing international situation, emphasizing the need to strengthen the alliance and the joint front against China.

He said, "Chinese President Xi Jinping is 'bright' and a 'really tough guy,'" adding, "He truly believes that the 21st century will be decided by oligarchies. He thinks democracy will not work."

Regarding talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he said, "I have met with Putin many times," and referred to them as villains, repeatedly calling him a dictator.

He raised his voice, saying, "The world is changing rapidly. It is changing so fast that there is a consensus that something must be done to unite the scattered countries," and "Democracy must stand up, and we must show something to them."