In a speech on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang warned that China and the United States are headed for “conflict and confrontation” if the US does not change its approach. His combative tone comes when relations between the two nations are at a historic low. According to Qin’s remarks at his first press conference since taking office last year, China’s stance on trade, technology, human rights, Taiwan, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine contradicted expectations.
Qin stated that Washington’s China policy has “entirely deviated from the rational and soundtrack.” He added that if the US continues on this path, there will inevitably be conflict and confrontation, with the stakes being both nations’ fundamental interests and humanity’s future. China’s leader Xi Jinping also made similar remarks in a speech on Monday to legislators.
The US has become increasingly concerned about China’s political and economic ambitions and possible war over Taiwan. US officials have called for a greater effort to counter China’s influence abroad. Tensions have heightened in recent weeks due to concerns about Chinese spying in the US and Beijing’s influence campaigns, leading to frequent accusations from both sides.
Qin criticized the US for shooting down a suspected Chinese spy balloon, calling it a “seriously distorted” view of China. He also addressed the issue of Taiwan, calling it a “red line” that must not be crossed. According to Qin, the US offered political support to Taiwan and provided it with defensive weapons violating China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He questioned why the US asked China not to provide weapons to Russia while it continued to sell arms to Taiwan.
China has also accused the West of “fanning the flames” by providing Ukraine with weapons to fend off the Russian invasion. As a result of China’s ceasefire call in Ukraine, Russia has praised it, while the West has dismissed it. The US has repeatedly accused China of considering providing weapons to Russia for use in the conflict.
Qin’s press conference took place two days after the opening of the National People’s Congress, a mostly ceremonial body that is expected to approve a new slate of top-level appointments, including a norm-breaking third five-year term for President Xi, who has eliminated term limits to rule indefinitely.
Some experts believe a direct military conflict between the two nations is unlikely despite the tensions. Instead, they suggest that the tensions will likely continue in economic and political competition, including trade and investment restrictions, technology restrictions, and diplomatic pressure.
The US and China have also had a long history of cooperation and engagement, and the two nations can continue to work together on issues of global importance, including climate change and international security.
However, the current state of affairs suggests that the US and China will remain rivals in the short to medium term and that their relationship will continue to be defined by competition and disagreements. This will likely have significant implications for the global economy and international stability.
As the two largest economies in the world, the US and China have the potential to shape the world’s future in either a positive or negative direction. It is in the interest of both nations and the international community to find a way to manage their differences and work together toward a more peaceful and stable future.
