Beijing, April 11 (EFE).- Beijing accused the US and Japan on Thursday of having “smeared and attacked China” during the meeting held in Washington DC between US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio.
At the meeting, the two heads of state announced the largest overhaul of the military alliance between both countries in 65 years.
“Ignoring China’s grave concerns, the US and Japan have smeared and attacked China on Taiwan and maritime issues, grossly interfered in China’s internal affairs, and seriously violated the basic norms governing international relations,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning at a press conference.
The spokesperson added that “US-Japan relations should not target other countries, harm their interests or undermine regional peace and stability.”
The restructuring of the US military command in Japan represents the biggest update to the security alliance between Tokyo and Washington since the mutual defense treaty entered into force in 1960, and it comes at a time when both countries are seeking to address the rise of China.
“China firmly opposes the Cold War mentality and small group politics. China firmly rejects anything that creates and drives up tensions and may undermine other countries’ strategic security and interests,” Mao said.
During their meeting, Biden and Kishida highlighted that their position on Taiwan “remains to be unchanged” and stressed “the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of global security and prosperity.”
“The Taiwan question is purely China’s domestic affair and brooks no external interference,” Mao responded Thursday.
“We urge the US to translate President Biden’s commitment of not supporting ‘Taiwan independence’ into concrete actions,” she pointed out.
Furthermore, Biden, Kishida, and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. held a trilateral summit on Thursday focusing on territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
Beijing disputes territories in these waters, crucial for global trade and rich in resources, with countries like Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, and tensions have recently escalated, especially with Manila.
According to Mao, China’s activities in the sea “are in full compliance with international law.”
“China will continue to properly handle maritime issues with relevant parties through dialogue and consultation and jointly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea,” she stressed.
According to the spokesperson, the US and Japan distort facts and violate international law, making them the “real threats” to regional peace and stability.
“China is always a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of the international order. We will never allow any country to interfere in China’s domestic affairs, harm its interests, and smear its image,” Mao concluded.
Regarding the possible inclusion of Japan in the trilateral security partnership for the Indo-Pacific region between Australia, the UK, and the US, Mao stated on Wednesday that China opposes any measure “that increases the risk of nuclear proliferation and exacerbates arms race in the Asia-Pacific.” EFE
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