John Key with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Image: One NewsMany politicians in the West see China's President Xi Jinping as a dangerous dictator who has scrapped term limits, allowing him to rule the world's most populous country for life. But former New Zealand Prime Minister John Key calls President Xi a friend - and says he is on the Chinese leader's Christmas card list. "He calls me a friend and I think he sort of means that," Key said. Key says his closeness to President Xi has given him insights into China's thinking.

Source: Otago Daily Times July 01, 2021 19:41 UTC