Status: 07.03.2023 07:01
Under the leadership of the USA, the West is sealing off China and thus impeding the country’s economic development, President Xi complains. China’s Foreign Minister Qin even warned the United States against a confrontation with “catastrophic consequences”.
According to state media, Chinese President Xi Jinping has denounced the “oppression” of his country by the United States. Under US leadership, Western countries have “enclosed, encircled and repressed China all around, which has posed unprecedented challenges for our country’s development,” Xi said in a speech to delegates at China’s Political Consultative Conference, according to a report by the state-run Xinhua News Agency people. The conference usually takes place at the same time as the National People’s Congress in Beijing.
In recent years, China has been confronted with a number of new hurdles that threatened to slow down economic growth. In the face of “profound and complex changes in both the national and international landscape, China must have the courage to fight,” said the 69-year-old head of state, who is about to start his third term.
Secretary of State warns US of ‘catastrophic consequences’
China’s Foreign Minister Qin Gang made a similar statement. Speaking to journalists, he told journalists that if the United States “doesn’t step on the brakes, but continues to follow the wrong path,” even crash barriers would no longer be able to stop a derailment. Then there would certainly be “conflicts and confrontations,” said the diplomat, and warned of “catastrophic consequences.”
According to Qin, the US sees China as its main adversary and as the most serious geopolitical challenge. The consequence of this assumption is that the Americans’ China policy has completely strayed from the “rational path”. Although Washington speaks of competition, in reality it wants to suppress China in all areas.
Numerous controversial issues
China and the USA are in fierce economic competition. The issues of dispute between Washington and Beijing are trade and human rights. In addition, a Chinese balloon was shot down over the US east coast, which the White House said was used for espionage purposes. China denies this.
With regard to Taiwan, relations between China and the USA had recently deteriorated considerably. US officials have repeatedly warned of a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan. China sees Taiwan, which has been seceded since 1949, as a breakaway territory.
Against the background of the dispute over Taiwan, Qin called on the US to stop interfering “in China’s internal affairs”. He condemned US arms sales to the democratic island republic. “We will continue to work towards peaceful reunification with the utmost sincerity and effort,” the minister said. However, China reserves the right to “take all necessary measures,” he repeated the well-known Chinese position.
US approves arms shipment to Taiwan
The United States recently approved a planned $619 million arms shipment to Taiwan, including several hundred missiles.
As usual, lawmakers at the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference are expected to unanimously approve the decisions of the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP). It is therefore considered certain that President Xi will be confirmed as head of state for a third term. This further cemented his position as the most powerful president since the founder of the state, Mao Zedong.