China’s foreign minister has warned of a likely conflict if the United States continues its “reckless” approach to relations with Beijing.
Qin Gang said the rising tension between the two powers was Washington’s fault, with the shooting down last month of a suspected surveillance balloon the last flash point.
The mysterious reconnaissance plane was removed by order of President Joe Bidenafter he was spotted traveling through the WE.
Speaking at his first press conference in his role, on the sidelines of an annual legislative meeting in Beijing, Mr Qin said the United States’ handling of the incident had “created a diplomatic crisis that would have could have been avoided”.
He accused the United States of trying to suppress and contain Chinarather than compete, which he described as a “reckless gamble” that endangers global security.
“If the United States does not put the brakes on and keeps moving down the wrong path, no guardrail can prevent the derailment, which will turn into conflict and confrontation,” he said.
“And who will bear the catastrophic consequences?
Mr. Biden’s administration has taken a tough stance on Xi Jinping’s regime, including its relationship with Russia and its claims on Taiwan, who fears an invasion in the years to come.
Last month, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned that there will be “consequences” if Beijing gives arms to Vladimir Putin’s War in Ukraine – and Mr. Biden vowed to “defend Taiwan” in the event of a Chinese invasion.
Mr Qin denied that weapons had been sent to Moscow and insisted that China remained ready to take the necessary steps to achieve “reunification” with Taiwan, despite the island nation rejecting its claim to sovereignty .
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The minister claimed the war in Ukraine – which some analysts say may have deterred China from a similar attempt to invade Taiwan – was being driven by an “invisible hand” to serve “certain geopolitical agendas”.
“Conflict, sanctions and pressure will not solve the problem,” he said, and called for the start of peace talks.
Beijing Foreign Ministry unveiled a 12-point plan to end the war will celebrate its first anniversary on February 24, but continues to avoid condemning Russia or calling the conflict an “invasion”.
