Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently scolded US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting in Laos regarding America’s perceived lack of respect for China and its political path. Wang highlighted the need for both nations to work together towards a stable, healthy, and sustainable development of their relations.
Wang emphasized that China does not seek hegemony or power politics, instead focusing on peace and security issues. He urged the US to show more respect for the Chinese Communist Party’s “aspiration to seek happiness for the people and rejuvenation for the nation while adhering to the path of peaceful development.
During their encounter, Wang also touched upon Taiwan, warning that every provocation by Taiwan independence forces would be met with stern countermeasures. He then threatened America’s allies in the Philippines, urging the US to stop fanning the flames and disrupting maritime stability by supporting Filipino claims to their own territorial waters in the South China Sea.
The State Department readout of the encounter downplayed these lectures and threats, claiming that both parties enjoyed open and productive discussions on various issues. While Blinken raised concerns about China’s support for Russia during its invasion of Ukraine, he also expressed his country’s commitment to freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea, as well as peaceful resolution of disputes consistent with international law.
The readout further noted that Blinken expressed serious concern regarding China’s stance on North Korea’s provocations and the deteriorating situation in Burma (Myanmar. While it remains to be seen if any assistance can be provided from China for these issues, Beijing has been reportedly running out of patience with Myanmar’s military junta, whose failure to defeat resistance forces threatens China’s economic interests in the region.
This recent encounter follows a similar pattern, where Chinese officials have challenged and lectured their US counterparts on various occasions over the past year. This includes a memorable summit in Alaska in March 2021, where Foreign Minister Wang Yi and senior Politburo member Yang Jiechi turned the tables on Blinken by citing the Black Lives Matter movement as evidence of America’s lack of standing to criticize China for its human rights record.