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CHINA CAUTIONS THE US NOT TO RESTRICT IT OR THERE COULD BE “TROUBLE”

The Chinese government has warned the United States not to repress it or else they risk "conflict."

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The Chinese government has warned the United States not to repress it or else they risk “conflict.”
The Foreign Minister of China has stated once again that dialogue is necessary to bring an end to the turmoil in Ukraine.

Journalists attend a news conference by Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang on the sidelines of the National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing, China March 7, 2023. Photo: REUTERS/Thomas Peter

BEIJING: China’s foreign minister reiterated Beijing’s demand for talks to end the conflict in Ukraine on Tuesday, warning that if the US continues with its misguided policies towards China, “conflict and confrontation” will result.

Foreign Minister Qin Gang stated at a news conference in Beijing on the sidelines of an annual parliament meeting that the US has been containing and suppressing China rather than engaging in fair or law-based competition.

“The perception and views of the United States towards China are significantly twisted,” claimed Qin. “China is seen as its main foe and the greatest geopolitical threat by this country. This is comparable to a shirt’s first button being fastened incorrectly.”

Relations between the two countries have been difficult for years over a variety of problems, such as Taiwan, trade, and the conflict in Ukraine, but they have gotten worse following controversy surrounding a balloon that the US said was a Chinese spying device and was shot down last month.

Although the US claims it is constructing guardrails for relations with China and is not seeking conflict, Qin added that in reality, this means China is not allowed to retaliate verbally or physically when it is slandered or assaulted.

That is simply not conceivable, he declared. No amount of guardrails will be able to stop a derailment that will lead to conflict and confrontation if the United States does not apply the brake and keeps moving in the wrong direction. Who will be responsible for the disastrous consequences?

phantom hand?

At another part of the news conference on Tuesday, Qin said that a “invisible hand” was pushing for the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine without naming the source.

Qin reiterated China’s appeal for discussion while asserting that the “invisible hand” is “using the Ukraine crisis to serve certain geopolitical interests”.

China has vehemently maintained its position on Ukraine in the face of Western criticism of its choice to not designate Russia as the conflict’s aggressor.

The fact that Xi has not spoken with his Ukrainian counterpart since Russia invaded its southwestern neighbour last February undermines China’s claims of neutrality, according to Kyiv’s top diplomat in Beijing, who made the statement on the anniversary of the start of the war last month. Xi has met with Putin numerous times since Russia invaded its neighbour last February.

Beijing has also angrily refuted Washington’s allegations that it has considered giving Russia lethal weapons.

Yet as the world grows more unsettling, China must strengthen its ties with Russia, according to Qin.

Presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin’s close encounters, according to Qin, served as the foundation for China-Russia relations.

When asked if Xi would visit Russia after China’s parliament session, which will last for one more week, he did not provide a clear response.

When asked if China and Russia would decide to stop using the US dollar and the euro for bilateral commerce, Qin responded that nations should use whichever currency is effective, secure, and reliable.

Neither the trump card for unilateral sanctions nor a cover for intimidation or coercion, he said, should be currencies.

China has frequently criticised the United States for using unilateral penalties to intimidate other nations.

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