New Delhi: Targeting the US for its Indo-Pacific strategy, a combative Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said American attempts to “encircle Beijing” was bound to fail and asserted that a “Ukraine-style crisis” should be not be repeated in Asia.
In his first press conference since taking charge as Foreign Minister, Qin also defended the increasingly close relationship between China and Russia, and accused the US of plotting an “Asia-Pacific version of NATO”.
Interestingly, he not did not mention India once in the briefing, despite the two countries having been engaged in an ongoing border standoff since 2020.
Qin assumed the charge of foreign minister in December 2022, after serving as China’s ambassador to the US.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the first session of the 14th National People’s Congress in Beijing, Qin accused the US of using its Indo-Pacific strategy — for which India is expected to play a key part — to “encircle China”.
“Such an attempt will only disrupt the ASEAN-centered open and inclusive regional cooperation architecture and undermine the overall and long-term interests of regional countries,” he said Tuesday. “It is bound to fail.”
His remarks come in the backdrop of heightened tensions over the recent spy balloon incidents that prompted US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to cancel a state visit to China.
Qin fielded questions about US-China tensions, Beijing’s growing closeness with Russia amid the Ukraine war, Beijing’s foreign policy in the Middle East, US-China tensions, the Taiwan question and more.
During the briefing, he remarked that Beijing will “take multilateralism as the way forward” in its foreign policy. This comes days after the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Delhi where the need to strengthen multilateralism was a key topic, even prompting PM Narendra Modi to remark that “multilateralism is in crisis today”.
Notably, the meeting did not end in a joint communique, and Russia and China opposed certain sections of India’s chair summary.
‘Don’t want Ukraine-style crisis in Asia ’
The Chinese foreign minister consistently hit out at the US’ Indo-Pacific Strategy, terming it as an attempt to shape the strategic environment in the region and undermine his country.
He accused the US of plotting an “Asia-Pacific version of NATO” and further remarked: “No Cold War should be reignited and no Ukraine-style crisis should be repeated in Asia.”
This comes days after Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, while speaking at the Raisina Dialogue in Delhi, accused the US and the West of using groups such as Quad and AUKUS to divide Russia and other countries.
Given the Iranian President’s recent state-visit to China and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Saudi Arabia and other countries last year, Qin elaborated on Beijing’s foreign policy in the Middle East.
“China supports the strategic autonomy of Middle East countries and opposes foreign interference in their internal affairs,” he said. “We have no intention to fill a so-called
vacuum and we will not build exclusive circles.”
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‘Must get US-China relationship right’
During the press conference, the Chinese foreign minister accused the US of dramatising the spy balloon incident, having “seriously distorted” perceptions of Beijing and being bent on locking the two countries in a zero sum game.
“If the US does not hit the brakes but continues to speed down the wrong path, no amount of guardrails can prevent derailing and there will surely be conflict and confrontation.”
He, however, also called for the need for the two countries to find some middle ground. “Getting the relationship right is not optional but something we must do and must do well,” Qin remarked.
He added that Beijing will continue to follow principles of “mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation” to pursue a “sound and stable relationship” with Washington.
China-Russia ties
Amid fears that China may supply military aid to Russia for its aggression in Ukraine, the Chinese foreign minister was asked about the scope of the Beijing-Moscow relationship going forward and the extent of their “no-limit partnership”.
“China and Russia have found a path of…strategic trust and good neighbourliness, setting a good example for international relations,” said Qin.
“Some countries who are inclined to view China-Russia relations through the lens of Cold War alliances see nothing but their own image. The China-Russia relationship is based on no alliance and no confrontation, and it is not targeted at any third party.”
Asked if Russia and China will drop the use of the Euro or Dollar in trade, he said “efficient, safe and credible” currencies should not be viewed as “trump cards” for sanctions.
Asked if Beijing will supply Moscow with military aid in its conflict against Kyiv, Qin replied: “China did not create the crisis. It is not a party to the crisis and has not provided weapons to either side of the conflict.”
He also spoke about China’s peace plans for Ukraine, which were underlined in a 12-point document released in January that called for a ceasefire and cessation of war, while
also urging countries to abandon the “Cold War mentality”.
“Efforts for peace talks have been repeatedly undermined. There seems to be an invisible hand pushing for protraction and escalation of the conflict and using the Ukraine crisis to serve certain geopolitical agendas,” he said, adding that peace talks should begin as soon as possible.
Taiwan question
In the aftermath of then-US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan last August, the Chinese foreign minister said Beijing will stay on “high alert” regarding US actions on Taiwan.
Qin also pulled out the Chinese constitution while answering questions on Taiwan, and cited certain sections from it including the anti-secession law.
“We will continue to work with the greatest sincerity and utmost efforts to pursue peaceful reunification,” Qin said, adding that China won’t hesitate to act on the anti-secession law.
Ratified by the Chinese government in 2005, the anti-secession law states that China may use “non-peaceful means” as a last resort to prevent Taiwan from establishing formal independence.
“Mishandling of the Taiwan question will shake the very foundations of US-China relations,” Qin warned.
He also attempted to draw parallels between the territorial integrity of Ukraine and Taiwan.
Wolf warrior diplomacy
During the press conference, the Chinese foreign minister appeared amused by questions about wolf warrior diplomacy.
Asked if his ascension to the position of foreign minister signals an end to China’s wolf warrior diplomacy, Qin replied smilingly: “I recall when I arrived as Chinese ambassador in the US, American media claimed — ‘Here comes a Chinese wolf warrior’. Now I’m
back as foreign minister, the media has stopped calling me that. I’m at a loss.”
He, however, added that if Chinese diplomats are faced with “jackals or wolves” they would have no choice but to “confront them head on”.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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