Crossword Genius

China dismisses Republican evil-doer (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

fiend

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'evil-doer' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'china dismisses republican' is the wordplay.
'china' becomes 'friend' (cockney rhyming slang, mate is china plate).
'dismisses' suggests deleting specific letters.
'republican' becomes 'r' (abbreviation).
'friend' with 'r' taken away is 'FIEND'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for fiend that I've seen before include "Demon; cruel person" , "Operatic super-soprano" , "Evil supernatural being" , "Devilish person" , "monster" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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