China’s man in Washington says US building ‘Berlin Wall’ against Beijing
- Barriers to China in economic, technological and ideological fields likened to cold war symbol
- Ambassador Cui Tiankai blames ‘obstinate prejudice’ for criticism of Chinese policies in Hong Kong and Xinjiang
China has ramped up its rhetoric against the United States, with its top envoy to the US accusing Washington of building a “Berlin Wall” between the two sides after its leaders looked to Russia for cooperation in the face of “interference”.
Speaking at the US-China Business Council’s annual gala in Washington on Wednesday, ambassador Cui Tiankai said “obstinate prejudice” was behind criticism directed at the Chinese government for its policies on trade and investment, Hong Kong and the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.
His speech came hot on the heels of US legislation aimed at sanctioning Chinese government officials over perceived human rights violations in Hong Kong and Xinjiang, and amid confusion over whether talks aimed at resolving the 16-month trade war were continuing.
“We must be alert that some destructive forces are taking advantage of the ongoing trade frictions,” Cui told a crowd of about 500 people, including former US trade representatives Carla Hills and Robert Zoellick.
“Extreme ideas such as decoupling, a new cold war, a clash of civilisations are having their way here,” he said.
“Some people in this country are pointing fingers at the governing party and the national system of China, trying to rebuild the Berlin Wall between China and the US in the economic, technological and ideological fields.”