this post was submitted on 19 Sep 2023
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China has lashed out at Germany after its foreign minister called Xi Jinping a “dictator” and summoned Berlin’s ambassador for a dressing down, in the latest flaring of tensions with a western democratic power over how the Chinese leader is described overseas.

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[–] trailing9@lemmy.ml -5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Dictator is the better word because it implies a choice by the people. It's the reason why Octavian is the first Roman emperor but every ruler wants to be a Caesar.

In a way, calling Xi a dictator recognizes his legitimization. I am sure that was not intended.