China accuses US and Japan of sowing division after Biden and Suga vow to counter ‘intimidation’
- The two leaders discussed a range of flashpoints and included a rare direct reference to Taiwan in their joint statement after meeting at the White House
- Beijing says their comments are ‘harmful’ as analysts warn Tokyo may face economic retaliation
Beijing has accused the United States and Japan of sowing division after they said they would counter China’s “intimidation” in the Asia-Pacific region and referred to Taiwan in a joint statement for the first time in over 50 years.
The Chinese embassy in the US expressed “strong concern and firm opposition” to the joint statement and vowed that China would resolutely defend its national sovereignty, security and development interests.
“These comments have gone far beyond the scope of normal development of bilateral relations. They are harmful to the interests of a third party, to mutual understanding and trust between regional countries, and to peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific,” an embassy statement said.
“It cannot be more ironic that such attempt of stoking division and building blocs against other countries is put under the banner of ‘free and open’.”