Whether China and the United States are partners or adversaries is a fundamental question that leaves no room for errors, a spokesperson for the Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs at the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday ahead of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit.
"In the end, whether China and the US are partners or adversaries is a fundamental question in which no irreparable mistake can be made," China Central Television quoted the diplomat as saying.
He added that rivalry between the major powers would not contribute to solving the problems faced by China, the US and the world.
"China and the US are two major powers, and they cannot fail to keep in touch, communicate and, even more so, they cannot engage in confrontation and rivalry," the spokesperson said.
The diplomat also said that there were and would be disagreements between Beijing and Washington, but they cannot be allowed to dominate the bilateral relations.
The spokesperson added that China opposed the interference of the United States in the South China Sea issue; Beijing's determination to defend its interests is unwavering.
"China firmly opposes the US interference into the South China Sea issue and inflaming enmity between China and ASEAN [the Association of Southeast Asian Nations]," the diplomat pointed out.
He added that "China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights do not tolerate interference; China's determination and will to defend its legitimate rights is unwavering." The spokesperson also said that China urges the United States to stop arming Taiwan and interfering in China's internal affairs.
In addition, the suppression of China by the US in various spheres is not eliminating but is creating risks, the spokesperson noted.
"The US has strengthened economic, trade and technological measures to suppress China, and is constantly adopting new measures in export controls, investment and unilateral sanctions, which seriously harms China's interests. This is not eliminating risks but creating them," the diplomat emphasized.
The diplomat noted that the United States-China relationship should stabilize; however, China has interests to defend.
"The China-American relationship should improve and start following a stable, healthy and sustainable path. At the same time, China has interests to protect, principles to uphold and red lines to guard," the spokesperson pointed out.
He also said that Washington should not denigrate the normal Russia-China relationship.
"[The US] should not denigrate the normal Russia-China interstate relationship, provoke a block confrontation and, even more so, slander China and shift the blame onto it," the diplomat stressed.