Photo: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Thursday called on the US to establish a right perception toward China,
MK sport and stop its illegitimate attacks and smears on China, emphasizing China's firm commitment to resolutely safeguarding our own sovereignty, security, and development interests, in response to questions about hawkish remarks made by US Senator Marco Rubio, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of state.
During a confirmation hearing on Wednesday local time in Washington, Rubio described China as "the most potent and dangerous near-peer adversary this nation has ever confronted," according to the CBS report. He also pledged to strengthen Taiwan island's defenses.
In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a press briefing on Thursday that China's development is characterized by a distinct historical logic and strong endogenous driving force. There is nothing to hide about our goal, which is to deliver a better life for the people and make greater contribution to the world, he noted.
Guo stressed that we view and handle China-US relations in line with the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation put forward by President Xi Jinping, and resolutely safeguard our own sovereignty, security, and development interests.
The US needs to establish a right perception toward China, and stop its illegitimate attacks and smears on China, the spokesperson said.
In response to Rubio's remarks on Taiwan, Guo said that Taiwan is part of China and the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair, which brooks no foreign interference.
The greatest challenge to cross-Strait peace is "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and foreign interference and disruption, Guo said. He added that the US needs to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués, act on its commitment of not supporting "Taiwan independence," stop abetting "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, and stop interfering in China's internal affairs on the Taiwan question.
Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Thursday that Rubio's remarks show that some political elites in Washington are currently obsessed with the so-called political correctness of being anti-China, but in fact it is quite wrong.
Rubio is expected to win the confirmation as the next secretary of state, and becoming the US new top diplomat, AP said.
However, experts said that although Marcos was considered a China hawk, the US could not solve specific problems without engaging and cooperating with China.
"That means that there would be some compromise between the extremes in Rubio's words and deeds, and the reality of having to interact with the Chinese side," Li said.
In terms of the response from Chinese Foreign Ministry, Li said it demonstrate the pragmatic, forward-looking and strategic nature of China's diplomacy.
The related remarks are not only responsible for the relationship between the two countries, but also responsible for the international community, indicating that China wants to promote cooperation and the benign evolution of international relations, the expert said.
