China continued its scathing rhetoric on Thursday in response to American allegations of Chinese espionage and threats to the global order, claiming that the United States is “the biggest threat to world peace.”
Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian made the remarks a day after the director of the FBI and the head of Britain’s domestic intelligence agency issued fresh warnings against the Chinese government, cautioning industry executives that Beijing is determined to steal technology for competitive advantage.
FBI Director Christopher Wray delivered a statement at MI5’s London headquarters alongside the organization’s director-general, Ken McCallum to demonstrate the solidarity of the West.
Wray reiterated long-standing worries over China’s alleged economic espionage and cyber operations as well as the Chinese government’s apparent attempts to repress dissent abroad.
“We consistently see that it’s the Chinese government that poses the biggest long-term threat to our economic and national security, and by ‘our,’ I mean both of our nations, along with our allies in Europe and elsewhere,” Wray said.
“The relevant U.S. politician has been playing up the so-called China threat to smear and attack China,” Zhao responded when questioned about Wray’s remarks.
“Facts have fully proven that the U.S. is the biggest threat to world peace, stability, and development,” Zhao said. “We urge this U.S. official to have the right perspective, see China’s developments in an objective and reasonable manner, and stop spreading lies and stop making irresponsible remarks.”
The heightened tension comes ahead of a meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday at the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia.
China has adopted a more assertive foreign policy under Xi Jinping, the country’s president and leader of the ruling Communist Party, joining Russia in an effort to lessen the power of the United States and its allies.
Despite criticizing Western sanctions on Moscow and blaming Washington and NATO for inciting the crisis, Beijing has declined to denounce Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which is anticipated to take center stage at the G20 summit.
Ramping up the rhetoric, a Chinese official in charge of relations with Taiwan said on Thursday a “reunification” of the two countries is imminent.
Liu Jieyi, the director of the Taiwan Affairs Office, predicted that China would take over Taiwan soon due to China’s “growing comprehensive strength.”
“Our growing comprehensive strength and significant institutional advantages continue to be transformed into efficiency in work related to Taiwan issues and push forward the process of national reunification,” Liu said, according to the South China Morning Post.
The comments were published Thursday in the Chinese state media outlet called the People’s Daily.
Liu continued by expressing threats of a bloody crackdown on “Taiwan independence forces” and a sterner retaliation against outside interference in the dispute.
“We do not promise to renounce the use of force and reserve the option of taking all necessary measures. The purpose is to safeguard the prospect of peaceful reunification of the motherland and the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation, including Taiwan compatriots,” he said.
