China Fumes at German Foreign Minister's 'Dictator' Remark on Xi Jinping

Beijing summoned the German ambassador to China after Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called President Xi Jinping a "dictator", Berlin said Monday, in the latest flare-up of tensions between the countries.

While they are major trade partners, Berlin-Beijing ties have been fraying as some in the German government take a harder line over issues ranging from human rights to Taiwan.

Annalena Baerbock, who has pushed for a more hawkish line, made the remarks in a Fox News interview on September 14 during a visit to the United States.