China accused the US on Thursday of misrepresenting its defense policy, claiming that Washington is trying to damage the improving ties between China and India.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian made these remarks during a press briefing. He was asked if China would use the recent border peace with India to block closer US-India relations. Jian stated that China views its ties with India from a “strategic and long-term” perspective.
A Pentagon report submitted to the US Congress recently highlighted China’s claim over India’s Arunachal Pradesh as part of its stated “core interests”, reflecting Beijing’s broader strategy to achieve the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” by 2049.
The report notes that China’s leadership has expanded the scope of its “core interests” to include Taiwan, sovereignty claims and maritime disputes in the South China Sea, the Senkaku Islands and Arunachal Pradesh. Chinese officials have characterized the unification of China with contested territories, particularly Taiwan, as a “natural requirement” for national rejuvenation.
China warns US: ‘Stop all provocations’
Meanwhile, China’s defense ministry has warned that US arms sales to Taiwan are “speeding up the threat of war in the Taiwan Strait” and urged Washington to correct its “wrong actions”.
China condemned the latest US arms deal with Taiwan on Thursday, warning that the sale is “speeding up” the risk of war in the Taiwan Strait.
Last week, the United States announced $11.1 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, marking the largest-ever US weapons package for the democratically governed island, whose government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims.
Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Chinese defense ministry, said at a regular news conference that the United States should halt all “provocations” and correct its “wrong actions.”
China on TikTok deal
The Chinese government would like to see companies reach solutions that comply with Chinese laws and regulations, while balancing the interests of all parties, a commerce ministry spokesperson said on Thursday when asked about the handover of TikTok’s US operations, reuters reported.
TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, signed binding agreements last week to hand control of the short video app’s US operations to a group of investors, including Oracle, in a significant step toward avoiding a US ban and ending years of uncertainty.
“It is hoped that the US side will work with China in the same direction, earnestly fulfill its corresponding commitments, provide a fair, open, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for the continuous and stable operation of Chinese enterprises in the US,” spokesperson He Yongqian told a press conference.
China on Japan
China’s defense ministry has called on Japan to stop spreading “false” narratives and to cease its “targeted” military deployments against China. “Not surprising people are worried about a potential ‘space Pearl Harbour’ with Japan pursuing an ‘offensive space policy’,” it said.
China further warned that it will take resolute countermeasures against any ‘acts of harassment and provocation’.
Earlier on Wednesday, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that the door to dialogue with China remains open and emphasized that Tokyo’s aim of fostering a constructive and stable relationship with Beijing has remained consistent throughout her two months in office.
“As neighboring countries, there do tend to be areas of concern and challenges, but that is precisely why communication at all levels, including at the leadership level, is so important,” Takaichi said Thursday in response to a question following a speech, as reported by Bloomberg. “We are open to all sorts of dialogue with China. We have not closed that door.”
Takaichi made the remarks amid an ongoing dispute with China over comments she made in early November regarding Taiwan.
At that time, she suggested that Japan’s military could, in theory, be deployed if China attacked Taiwan, prompting a strong reaction from Beijing, including restrictions on Chinese tourists visiting Japan and public criticism of Takaichi.
(With inputs from agencies)
