China warns US against imposing democratic ideals

Beijing

CHINA warned the United States on Thursday against imposing its democratic ideals, while criticising trade sanctions and military moves in Beijing's backyard just hours after President Joe Biden's speech on American geopolitical priorities.

The remarks came after Mr Biden's first address to Congress, in which he placed a renewed focus on diplomacy and said the country was in competition with China and others to win the 21st century. He added that "autocrats think democracies can't compete", while noting the US welcomes competition and is not looking for conflict.

Asked about the speech, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said it was normal for the US and China to compete in some areas.

"But this kind of competition should be a track-and-field race, not a duel to the death," he told a press briefing on Thursday. He also warned that "forcing other countries to accept one's democratic system . . . will only create divisions, intensify tension, and undermine stability."

In his speech, Mr Biden also said the US would stand up to unfair trade practices such as subsidies for state-owned enterprises and intellectual property theft. But China lashed out a day later at the US for "violating the market principle of fair competition" and "politicising" issues such as the economy, trade and technology, in reference to the recent trade war between the countries.

While Mr Biden said he told Chinese President Xi Jinping the US would maintain a strong military presence in the Indo-Pacific to prevent conflict, China highlighted issues with US deployments in the region.

China's defence ministry spokesman Wu Qian said in a separate statement on Thursday that since the inauguration of the current US government, the frequency of US warships sent to China's maritime territory increased by 20 per cent from last year. The frequency of reconnaissance aircraft activity in the region also increased by 40 per cent, he added, saying that China "resolutely opposes this". AFP