Biden's warnings to China violation of diplomatic etiquette: China FM

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
9 Feb 18:27

US-China relations have been strained due to several provocative moves by the US.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning ( Chinese Foreign Ministry)

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said on Thursday that warnings issued by US President Joe Biden, that the West will halt all its investments in China if Beijing kept supporting Russia, are a blatant and irresponsible violation of the foundations of diplomatic etiquette.

During an interview with PBS Newshour on Wednesday, Biden admitted that he warned Chinese President Xi Jinping last summer that China could lose Western investments over China's support for Russia. He further said that Xi is facing serious challenges ahead, including in the economy, though he also has 'great potential'.

He also stated that the US was not "looking for conflict" with China and that this has been Washington's policy "so far".

"We're going to compete fully with China, but... we're not looking for conflict -- and that's been the case so far," he said.

Following these statements, Spokeswoman Ning told a briefing today, "Such statements by the US side are extremely irresponsible and violate the foundations of diplomatic etiquette. China expresses acute dissatisfaction and strongly opposes this."

US-China relations have been strained due to provocative visits by US lawmakers, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, to Taiwan despite objections from Beijing.

Most recent provocations also include heightened tensions with Japan and allegations that China deliberately breached US airspace by sending alleged spy balloons to the US.

Beijing has called on the US several times to cease spreading sentiments of sinophobia via its 'China threat' narrative and to break off the spell of a 'Cold War' mentality between the two global powers but to no avail.

In a document released by the Pentagon last year in October, the US China is the "most consequential" threat to the US.

China "presents the most consequential and systemic challenge, while Russia poses acute threats -- both to vital US national interests abroad and the homeland," the unclassified version of the National Defense Strategy said.

"The most comprehensive and serious challenge to US national security is (China's) coercive and increasingly aggressive endeavor to refashion the Indo-Pacific region and the international system to suit its interests and authoritarian preferences," the document said.

US DoD spokesman Pat Ryder said on Wednesday that the Pentagon is committed to keeping its communication lines open with China despite the latter refusing a phone call from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin following the balloon incident.