Former Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mike Mullen, expressed support for Secretary of State Antony Blinken's reaction to President Biden's labeling of Chinese President Xi Jinping as a dictator. Mullen emphasized that the president should avoid using such names when referring to world leaders.

During a recent meeting between Biden and Xi, the U.S. president once again referred to Xi as a "dictator," citing China's communist government structure as the basis for his statement. This remark came after hours of discussion, during which agreements were made on a range of issues, including military-to-military communication and addressing the proliferation of fentanyl into the United States.

A video circulating on social media captured Blinken's reaction to Biden's comment. In the footage, Blinken can be seen wincing as Biden responded to a question before exiting a press conference. Mullen assessed Blinken's reaction as "accurate," highlighting the need for diplomatic language when discussing international counterparts.

China swiftly responded to Biden's remark, with Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, expressing strong opposition to the comments. The tensions between China and the U.S. have escalated in recent months, and Biden acknowledged being "blunt" with Xi on various contentious issues while also emphasizing areas of cooperation.

Mullen praised the meeting between Biden and Xi in California, considering the re-establishment of military-to-military communications a significant accomplishment. However, he warned that the future relationship between the two countries could remain challenging due to ongoing issues.

"It is crucial not to underestimate the severity of the current relationship between the two countries and the potential difficulties they may face in the future," Mullen stated. He emphasized the importance of the meeting and the positive development of military communication between China and the U.S.

The meeting between Biden and Xi took place amidst escalating bilateral tensions and concerns about China's government policies. Mullen's support for Blinken's reaction reflects the need for cautious and respectful dialogue between the two superpowers to avoid further conflicts.

As the relationship between China and the U.S. remains complex, future interactions and negotiations will require careful handling to foster open communication and address key areas of disagreement.