Chinese minister criticizes the United States during his first press conference

BEIJING (AP) — At his first press conference since taking office, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Tuesday criticized the United States for deteriorating bilateral relations and Washington’s support for Taiwan. He also suggested that Washington undermine peace efforts in Ukraine to prolong the conflict for its own benefit.

US policy toward China “has completely deviated from the sensible and rational path,” Qin told reporters on the sidelines of the annual meeting of China’s legislature, a ceremonial body. It is his only official press conference of the year, although he often answers questions during trips abroad.

Washington “intends to contain and suppress China in all its aspects and bring the two countries into a zero-sum game,” he said.

“What they call setting limits and not seeking conflict simply means that China should not respond with words or actions when it is slandered or attacked,” Qin said. “It’s just not possible.”

“If the United States does not stop and keep accelerating down the wrong path, there is no limit that can keep it from derailing and then there will definitely be conflict and confrontation,” he said. -he declares. “This competition is a reckless bet, when it comes to the fundamental interests of two peoples and even the future of humanity.”

Qin’s harsh and almost apocalyptic words appeared to defy predictions that China would abandon aggressive diplomacy for a more moderate stance, as bilateral relations hit rock bottom due to differences in trade and technology, Taiwan, rights rights and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

After a brief stint as ambassador to Washington, Qin was named foreign minister in late December, a post that puts him behind the Communist Party’s top foreign affairs official, Wang Yi.

Qin reiterated criticism of the US decision to shoot down an alleged Chinese spy balloon over the US east coast.

As for Taiwan, a self-governing democratic island that China claims as part of its territory, Qin said the issue was the first red line not to be crossed in relations between Washington and Beijing.

The minister accused the United States of “disrespecting Chinese sovereignty and territorial integrity” by offering political support to the island and supplying it with defensive weapons in response to Chinese threats to use force to bring the territory under his control.

“Why is the United States asking China not to supply arms to Russia, while continuing to sell arms to Taiwan? said Qin. “Mishandling the Taiwan issue will shake the very foundations of China-US relations.”

Beijing claims to be neutral in the war that started a year ago, but also said it had ‘unlimited friendship’ with Russia and refused to criticize the Russian invasion of Ukraine, or call it an invasion .

He also accused the West of provoking the conflict and “fanning the flames” by arming Ukraine to deal with Russian forces.