‘Unfathomable absurdity’: China charges that, in spite of improved relations, the US is attempting to’suppress’ Beijing

Beijing: On Thursday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi criticized the Biden administration for adding more Chinese companies to its lists of companies subject to trade sanctions and accused the US of plotting ways to stifle China’s ascent. Wang claimed that even though Presidents Xi Jinping and Joe Biden met and Beijing’s relations with Washington improved, America still had an “erroneous perception” of China, and Beijing had not lived up to its promises.

“Where is the US’s credibility as a major power when it consistently says one thing and acts another? “Where is the US’s confidence as a major power when it becomes tense and anxious at the mention of China?” he asked. The US will eventually hurt itself if it is fixated on repressing China. These statements follow the US’s decision to increase sanctions against Chinese individuals and businesses for supporting Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine.

Chinese companies are now included in the US’s list of unilateral sanctions, which the top Chinese diplomat called an “unfathomable absurdity” and criticized as part of Washington’s “bewildering” trade policy, CNN reports. “Where is international justice when it only cares about its own prosperity and refuses to allow other nations to develop legitimately? “Where is fairness and competition if it continuously monopolizes the high end of the value chain and keeps China at the low end?” the speaker continued.

Wang also praised China’s expanding relations with Russia, pointing out that last year’s trade between the two exceeded a goal of $200 million by the end of 2024, reaching $240 billion. China is allegedly providing Russia with an economic lifeline at a time when the US and the EU are attempting to exert pressure on its government through sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

“China now has thousands of homes with Russian natural gas, and Chinese cars are on Russian roads, proving the robustness and immense potential of mutually beneficial cooperation,” Wang stated.

The United States holds an ‘erroneous perception’ of China. Wang Wang went on to say that the US is holding onto false beliefs about China and that communication between the two nations can only go forward if both parties acknowledge and value their differences. “It has to be pointed out that the US side’s erroneous perception of China continues, and the promises it has made have not really been fulfilled,” he stated.

The foreign minister said that China’s alleged “crimes” “have reached an unbelievable level,” which the US wanted to add to the list. He added, though, that Biden had made it plain that the US would not seek out a new Cold War, alter the Chinese system, or support Taiwan’s independence.

China claims that the US is attempting to stifle its industrial policy and high-tech development, and both militaries are closely observing one another as their deployments throughout East Asia increase. “So we urge the US to understand the historical development trend, objectively and rationally look at China’s development, and  actively and pragmatically carry out interactions with China,” Wang stated.

China regarding Taiwan and Palestine
According to Chinese media reports, China’s UN ambassador, Zhang Jun, stated in a January Security Council debate that China is in favor of Palestine becoming a full member as soon as possible as a first step toward establishing a Palestinian state.

Wang, 70, demanded on Thursday that a significant international conference be held in order to develop a schedule and road map for a two-state solution. “We urge individual Security Council members to stop creating barriers for Palestine’s admittance as a full member of the UN,” he declared.

In addition, he charged—without naming it—that the US was inciting unrest in Taiwan and the South China Sea. China is at odds with the Philippines, Vietnam, and other neighbors in Southeast Asia because it claims a large portion of the South China Sea and claims self-governing Taiwan as part of its territory.

Wang declared, “We will take just countermeasures for unreasonable provocations.” “We also advise certain non-regional countries not to become disruptors and troublemakers in the South China Sea, nor to take sides.” This appeared to be aimed at the Philippines since Manila accused Beijing of attempting to prevent Filipino ships from accessing reefs and other outcroppings that are disputed by both nations. The two nations are engaged in a furious dispute in the disputed waters.

Wang stated that China will keep pushing for Taiwan’s peaceful reunification, but he also issued a warning to anyone who backs Taiwan’s independence: there will be consequences. To avoid upsetting China, the majority of Taiwanese would rather keep their distance from it. They worry that, especially in light of China’s recent crackdown on Hong Kong, Chinese rule may jeopardize their democratic and liberated rights.