The Foreign Ministry reiterated its opposition on Monday to defining the relationship between China and the United States as competitive, and rejected Washington's restriction of Beijing's legitimate development rights based on the excuse of competition.
Lin Jian, the ministry's new spokesman, made the remarks in response to recent comments on bilateral ties made by U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns.
The relationship between the U.S. and China remains highly competitive, and the two sides will very likely be "systemic rivals" well into the next decade, Burns told a virtual seminar on Friday.
Burns also said that the U.S. is strengthening strategically, militarily and economically in the "Indo-Pacific" region, and expressed concerns over Hong Kong's legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law.
Burns has repeatedly made negative remarks on China, and such remarks deviated from the important consensus reached by the two heads of state at the San Francisco summit and go against the spirit of the summit, which will not help with stabilizing bilateral relations, Lin told a daily news conference.
It is not the right way for the two countries to develop sound and stable ties or get along with each other, he added.
Lin stressed that China-U.S. relations should not be a zero-sum game where one side outcompetes or thrives at the expense of the other.
Beijing opposes the U.S.' smears and attacks against China, and its interference in the country's internal affairs under the pretext of human rights and values, he said.
He added that he hopes the U.S. will work with China in the same direction to push forward the stable, healthy and sustainable development of bilateral ties.
Woman pleads guilty to negligent homicide in death of New York anti
China's Top Procuratorate Promotes Law's Implementation
China to Provide Trainee Jobs for College Graduates, Young People
Construction Begins on Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum in Xinjiang
Trump breaks his silence on how Melania and Barron are coping since hush money trial guilty verdict
China Beats Brazil in 2023 Volleyball Nations League
China Int'l Big Data Expo Attracts Youngsters
China Moves to Boost Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture
Tribal police officer among 2 killed, 4 wounded by gunfire at Phoenix
People Go out for Various Activities During Dragon Boat Festival Holiday Across China
Oregon officials close entire coast to mussel harvesting due to shellfish poisoning
Maternal, Infant Mortality Rates in China Drop to Historic Lows