Update | There is no ‘House of Cards’: China’s president rejects for first time claims anti-graft crackdown is power struggle
Hours after landing in Seattle on his first state visit in the US, Xi made a surprising reference to the popular American political drama series House of Cards, starring Kevin Spacey as ruthless and power-hungry US President Francis Underwood.
Chinese President Xi Jinping surprised observers today by publicly dismissing for the first time festering allegations that his sweeping anti-corruption crackdown is driven by a power struggle, during his landmark speech in Seattle.
Speaking at the Washington State Welcoming Banquet on the first day of his week-long visit to the US, a confident and assertive Xi spoke about a spate of issues concerning his American audience, from cyber security, China-US relations, to the economy, addressing former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and other high-profile guests at a formal banquet.
But it was comments on his high-profile anti-corruption drive which raised the most eyebrows, as Xi sought to stamp down speculation and allegations from China-watchers that his crackdown is motivated by an internal power struggle that allows him to get rid of political opponents and consolidate power.
In a surprising reference to the popular American political drama series House of Cards, starring Kevin Spacey as ruthless and power-hungry US President Francis Underwood, Xi said “We have punished tigers and flies. It has nothing to do with power struggles. In this case there is no 'House of Cards'.
Read more: Xi Jinping’s US visit: itinerary, issues and delegation
