China calls for US to cease viewing Beijing as 'enemy'

ISTANBUL

Beijing responded on Monday to US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo's comment that China is "the biggest threat," saying that the US "needs to stop viewing China as an enemy."

"China never bets against the US, and has no intention to challenge or unseat it," Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters in Beijing, according to a transcript released by the ministry.

"The US needs to have a right understanding of China, work with China to earnestly deliver on the important common understandings reached between the two Presidents in their meeting in San Francisco," he added.

The US needs to "stop viewing China as an enemy, correct the wrong move of carrying out major-country confrontation under the pretext of competition, and avoid saying one thing and doing another," said Wang.

The Chinese official recalled that US President Joe Biden "once noted that the US is not seeking to halt China’s economic development or scientific and technological progress."

"However, the remarks of the US official contradict this. It will hardly win the trust from China and the rest of the world, and reveals the deep-seated Cold-War mentality and hegemonic mindset of some in the US," Wang added.

Wang's statement came after Raimondo referred to China as "the biggest threat we've ever had" and stressed that Beijing is not a friend of the US.

Raimondo also urged US business leaders to prioritize national security over short-term revenue.