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Yang Zizhi, China’s chief foreign official, said it was up to the two countries to return their relations to the expected and future development path. He said China is ready to work with the United States to continue developing relations in a conflict-free, non-confrontational, mutually respectful and mutually beneficial manner.
He added that he hopes that the United States will be able to overcome the “zero-sum game”, which is a competition between the great powers, and that China has no intention whatsoever to question or occupy the US role in the world.
He stressed that the United States should strictly adhere to the one-China principle and stop interfering with China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Referring to sensitive issues such as Taiwan, Hong Kong or the South China Sea, he said that violating China’s “borders” means undermining US-China relations as well as US interests. He added that China never interferes in the internal affairs of the United States, citing the US presidential election as an example.
China had previously welcomed Biden’s abrogation of former US President Donald Trump’s decree that the United States should withdraw from the World Health Organization. The official added that Beijing is ready to negotiate with Washington on developing a global public health system.
Referring to the sanctions the Trump government has imposed on Chinese companies, the Chinese diplomat said the concept of national security should not be misused in trade.
Under Donald Trump’s presidency, relations between the United States and China have been increasingly strained due to, among other things, bilateral trade, management of the coronavirus epidemic, Hong Kong’s autonomy, Taiwan’s status, and human rights issues. Although observers expect some easing of tensions after the change of president, the Biden-led government has not significantly altered Washington’s stance on some issues. (MTI)
