BEIJING (Reuters) – President Xi Jinping this week accused Washington of isolating his country and stifling its development. This is because the Communist Party’s pursuit of prosperity and global influence is threatened by U.S. restrictions on access to technology, support for Taiwan, and other moves Beijing sees as hostile to the ruling party. It reflects growing dissatisfaction with the Communist Party.
Foreign Minister Qin Gang has stepped up warnings that Washington could face “conflict and confrontation” if it does not change course. Beijing sees these as active targets, but American officials see them as a threat. It is said that it relies on pressure to hand over. Some warn that Chinese competition could undermine US industrial dominance and revenues.
Washington has scrapped Beijing’s plans by blacklisting Chinese companies, including Huawei, the first global technology brand to restrict access to processor chips and other technologies. This has paralyzed Huawei, once the world’s largest smartphone his brand. US officials are urging Europe and other allies to avoid Huawei devices as they upgrade their phone networks.
Washington cite security concerns, while Beijing says it’s an excuse to hurt its fledgling rivals.
Our two governments have the world’s largest trading relationship and share interests in tackling climate change and other issues. But relations have been strained over Taiwan, Beijing’s treatment of Hong Kong and most Muslim minorities, criticism of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and its refusal to isolate itself.
Xi and Qin spoke in a “dramatic way” this week, but “the essence of what they said was China’s long-term stance,” Shi said. The leadership believes that “the United States has almost everywhere carried out a thorough and desperate containment of China in all respects, especially in the strategic and military areas.”
“The risk of military conflict between China and the United States is increasing,” Mr. Shi said.
State Department spokesman Ned Price said Washington wants to “coexist responsibly” in the global trade and political system, denying Washington wants to suppress China.
The United States, along with Japan, Australia and India, has formed a strategic group, the Quad, in response to concerns about China and China’s claims to vast sea areas with congested shipping lanes. They claim the group is not focused on any particular country, but their official statements relate to territorial claims and other issues they have disputed with China.
The recent change in tone follows a heated exchange over the shooting down of a Chinese balloon after it flew over North America. His electronics and other equipment are under investigation by the FBI.
“We are trying to position China as a global force for moderation and peace,” Qin said before a foreign audience, adding that “it is the Americans who are blowing things out of proportion.” .
The Xi Jinping administration has been particularly irritated by statements of support from the United States and other Western lawmakers for Taiwan, which he separated from China in 1949 after the civil war.
Taiwan was never part of the People’s Republic of China, but the Chinese Communist Party says the island of 22 million people must be united with the mainland by force if necessary.
Premier Li Keqiang, who is set to step down as China’s second-largest head of state this month, called for a “peaceful reunification” on Sunday. But the Xi Jinping government has also stepped up efforts to intimidate the island by flying fighter planes and firing missiles into the nearby sea. Mr Thompson said China’s leaders “view any kind of discussion on strategic issues cautiously intolerable”, which “increases the risk of misjudgment”.
