China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in a speech on Sunday, warned the United States against becoming involved in China’s “internal affairs”, saying “both sides must abide by the principle of non-interference”, reports CNBC.
Why does it matter: Biden promised a tough approach to China. Tensions between the U.S. and China have increased for years under the Trump administration.
What is he saying: Wang called on the United States to “remove all its irrational restrictions on bilateral cooperation as soon as possible” and “not create new obstacles”, according to CNBC, although he did not specify what the restrictions are.
The Foreign Minister also asked the United States do not cross an “impassable red line” when undermining China’s claim on Taiwan, according to the AP. The democratically governed island that separated from the continent in 1949.
- Wang said the Chinese government “has no room for concessions” on Taiwan, adding that the Biden government should “completely change the previous government’s dangerous practices of crossing the line and playing with fire”.
- “It is important for the United States to recognize this as quickly as possible, otherwise the world will be far from peaceful.”
Yes but: Wang said the two countries could cooperate on issues such as the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. He cited a two-hour phone call between Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier this year as a sign that nations could rebuild their relationship.
- “We are ready to work with the United States to follow up on the outcome of this important call and put China-US relations on a new path of healthy and stable growth,” he said.