The recent remark by US President Joe Biden, describing China as a “ticking time bomb,” has been clarified by a White House official. The statement, made during a political fundraiser, was directed at China’s internal economic and social tensions, which could impact its global interactions. The White House emphasized that these tensions may influence China’s behavior on the world stage, drawing attention to concerns about China’s approach to other nations.
In response to questions about Biden’s comment, a White House spokesperson highlighted that the reference to China being a “ticking time bomb” was related to the country’s internal challenges. Biden’s concern centers on the possibility that when countries with internal issues face difficulties, they might engage in destabilizing behavior.
During his speech, Biden made a factual error by stating that China’s growth rate had dropped from 8 percent to close to 2 percent. However, data from China’s National Bureau of Statistics indicates growth rates of 4.5 percent and 6.3 percent in the first and second quarters, respectively.
Biden also expressed his desire for a rational relationship with China, highlighting the need for constructive engagement between the two nations.
A significant concern raised by the US involves China’s alleged bullying and coercion of other countries through high-interest infrastructure loans, leading to asset seizures upon defaults. Chinese embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu cautioned against scapegoating China and sowing division. He stressed that China’s GDP growth contributes positively to the global economy.
China responded strongly to Biden’s comments, with its state-run Global Times suggesting that he aimed to divert attention from domestic issues. The outlet also noted that candidates in the 2024 US presidential elections might target China to distract from domestic problems.
Despite high-level exchanges, the Global Times observed that no substantial easing in US-China relations had occurred. The US has been consistent in pushing back against China’s actions, including recent moves to limit outbound investment in specific Chinese sectors.
