If a military conflict arises between the United States and China, it will be provoked by the activities of the US military near Chinese territory, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on social networks. Thus, she commented on a Bloomberg publication entitled “China better listen to Blinken’s proposals.”
“For many Chinese readers, this article is blackmail. <…> If an unexpected military conflict were to break out between China and the United States, it would not be caused by China’s provocative actions to send warships and aircraft to Los Angeles or somewhere off the coast of California. Rather, it will be caused by US warships or military aircraft near Chinese territory,” Hua Chunying wrote.
When dealing with a “country the size of China,” she said, “mutual respect” is the rule of thumb.
Her comment came amid a visit to China by State Department Secretary Anthony Blinken. The diplomat arrived in Beijing on Sunday, Reuters reported.
His visit was planned back in February, but was canceled after the discovery of a Chinese “spy” balloon in the sky over the United States. The Financial Times, citing sources, wrote that during the visit, the head of the State Department was scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Blinken became the highest-ranking US official to visit China since Joe Biden’s presidency. During his stay, which will last until Monday, June 19, the Secretary of State is expected to hold meetings with his current and former counterparts Qin Gang and Wang Yi, and possibly also with Xi Jinping.
The visit could be “preparing the ground” for a meeting between US and Chinese leaders, Reuters notes. Biden said yesterday that he hoped to meet with Xi Jinping “in the next few months.”
Source: Rosbalt
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