China’s ambassador to the US called on Washington to avoid “strategic miscalculation” in its approach to Beijing, warning that Washington’s trade and tech restrictions could be “double-edged swords”.
Addressing an audience of more than 400 at a National Day reception at the Chinese embassy in Washington on Monday, Xie Feng said the “small yard, high fence” policy of US President Joe Biden’s administration is damaging both countries’ interests. He suggested that US investments to his country would benefit from economic reforms the government is undertaking.
He also reiterated that Taiwan is the “first and foremost red line” in US-China relations, while assuring that China will “never interfere” the US elections.
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“The Chinese people should not be deprived of their rights to develop, and develop the economy and pursue a better life,” he said. “Trade war or tech war would be double-edged swords. Building small yard, high fence would only constrain one’s own space and serve nobody’s interest.”
“We have no strategy to overtake or replace the United States, no intention to overthrow the existing order or dominate, and no interest in geopolitical rivalry or a Game of Thrones,” Xie added. “It would be a strategic miscalculation to project onto [a] China assumption that a strong country is bound to seek hegemony and fearmongering to accuse China of being a pacing threat.”
The senior envoy’s remarks came as Chinese missions around the world celebrated the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Honoured guests in Washington included Daniel Kritenbrink, US assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs.
Before giving a toast to the guests, Kritenbrink referred to Xie warmly as a “dear friend”, but joked about being asked to give a short 60-second remark compared to Xie’s 20-minute address . He congratulated China and the Chinese people on the occasion, said the US will remain consistence in its approach to China and pledged to save his rebuttal for “a more appropriate time”.
“I want to assure everyone here that we are also committed to responsibly managing this most complex and consequential relationship,” he said.
“No matter what we do, in every instance, we must keep open the channels of communication ... so that we do everything possible to reduce the risk of miscalculation that could veer into unintended conflict.”
The event took place amid rising unease in Sino-American relations ahead of the US presidential election. The November 5 poll is widely seen as pivotal to the future of bilateral ties.
Both presidential candidates – Republican nominee and former US president Donald Trump as well as Democratic nominee and US Vice-President Kamala Harris – are perceived as espousing tough policy on China.
Xie said China “firmly” opposed attempts to “play the China card” during the US elections.
“US elections are its own affairs,” he said. “China has never and will never interfere. At the same time, we firmly oppose attempts to play the China card, play on China issues and exploit China-US relations.”
On Friday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his US counterpart, Antony Blinken, met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in what could be the pair’s last in-person discussion before the election.
During their meeting, Wang urged the US to stop its economic and technological “suppression” of China. He also called on Washington to stop arming Taiwan and refrain from disrupting peace in the South China Sea.
Blinken, for his part, raised American concerns over China’s supplying dual-use goods to Russia and broached the mainland’s “dangerous” actions in the South China Sea.
From Taiwan to Ukraine, the US and China have been at loggerheads on an array of issues. Washington has spoken warily of Beijing’s increasing “assertiveness” in global affairs, decrying its economic and military practices.
In response, the US has ramped up trade and technology restrictions on China, ranging from EV tariffs to semiconductor bans. China has denounced the moves as attempts to halt the mainland’s development as it tackles economic challenges at home.
In his remarks, Xie said China is committed to further opening up the country and taking measures to lift investment restrictions.
“We need to seek mutual benefits and reject a zero-sum game. As the largest developing and developed countries, China and the United States are highly complementary,” he said.
“A new car is built at the Tesla Gigafactory Shanghai in less than one minute. Starbucks is opening a new store in China every nine hours,” he said, drawing some laughter from the audience as he gave the examples.
On Monday, Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed a National Day reception in Beijing attended by senior officials and foreign diplomats.
Xi pledged to continue the country’s reform and opening up, days after mainland authorities rolled out high-profile stimulus measures aimed at reviving the nation’s economy.
The Chinese leader also conveyed a strong message on the mainland’s determination to reunify with Taiwan, a scenario he said “no force is able to stop”.
“We must adhere to the one-China principle ... and resolutely oppose ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist activities,” he was quoted as saying in a speech released by state agency Xinhua.
“The realisation of the complete reunification of the motherland is the general trend, the righteous cause and the will of the people.”
Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary and has warned repeatedly that it is the first “red line” not to be crossed in US-China relations.
Most countries, including the United States, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-governed island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons.
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