China’s new ambassador to the United States, Qin Gang, released a statement last week saying that the two countries need to treat each other with “mutual respect and equality,” and that China will “continue to advance world peace.”
China’s calls for “mutual respect” come after the United States government revealed China’s Ministry of State Science has engaged in a “multiyear campaign” of cyberattacks against foreign governments and private companies.
“Both China and the United States are major countries with important influence in the world," Qin’s statement read. "Since we established diplomatic relations over 40 years ago, China-U.S. relations have gone through an extraordinary journey amidst twists and turns. At this new historical juncture, our two countries need to follow the trend of the times and the general expectation of the international community, treat each other with mutual respect and equality, and pursue peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, as this will be the blessing of our two peoples and the whole world. The Chinese people will never stop their quest for a better life.”
Qin’s statement added that China, which is currently committing genocide against Uyghur Muslims, will “continue to advance world peace.”
“The Communist Party of China and the Chinese government will never stop the endeavor to pursue happiness for the people,” the statement said. “China is firmly committed to the path of peaceful development, and will continue to advance world peace, contribute to global development, and uphold international order. It will work with other countries to build a community with a shared future for mankind.”
The statement comes a month after top U.S. officials warned that China is becoming more aggressive with neighboring countries.
“What are we warning about: It’s danger on all fronts. This idea that it’s only a Taiwan scenario vs. many other areas where the Chinese are being highly assertive, coercive, is a failure in understanding complexity, because it’s not that simple,” Rear Admiral Mike Studeman, the top intelligence officer for the East Asian command said, adding that China is pressuring “lots of its neighbors.”
According to Studeman, military officials are likening the current situation with China to the events leading up to World War II.
“[It's] too late,” Studeman said. “Too late in comprehending the deadly purpose of a potential enemy. Too late in realizing the mortal danger. Too late in preparedness. Too late in uniting all possible forces for resistance.”
Last month, China’s leader Xi Jinping indicated China’s intention to invade Taiwan during a speech celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party.
“We must accelerate the modernization of national defense and the armed forces. A strong country must have a strong military, as only then can it guarantee the security of the nation,” Xi said. “Resolving the Taiwan question and realizing China’s complete reunification is a historic mission and an unshakable commitment of the Communist Party of China. We must take resolute action to utterly defeat any attempt toward ‘Taiwan independence.’”
A report from June stated that China is working to “accelerate their modernization programs to develop capabilities to seize Taiwan” by 2027. According to the Washington Post, China is adding more than 100 new missile silos.
“The 119 nearly identical construction sites contain features that mirror those seen at existing launch facilities for China’s arsenal of nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles,” The Washington Post reported. “The acquisition of more than 100 new missile silos, if completed, would represent a historic shift for China, a country that is believed to possess a relatively modest stockpile of 250 to 350 nuclear weapons.”
