‘Two sessions’ 2022: Beijing urges EU not to ‘amplify’ China-Lithuania dispute

Spokesman for the Chinese legislature Zhang Yesui addresses China-EU relationship and the America Competes Act

But no mention of the Russia-Ukraine war or, in a break from recent tradition, China’s defence spending

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Zhang Yesui, spokesperson for the fifth session of the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC), speaks during a press conference via video link in Beijing on Friday. Zhang took questions from media on the agenda of the session and the work of the people’s congresses. Photo: XInhua

Published: 6:31pm, 4 Mar 2022Updated: 7:22pm, 4 Mar 2022

Beijing has said its dispute with Lithuania should not be so amplified by the European Union that it affects overall China-EU ties.

Ahead of the opening session of the National People’s Congress (NPC), spokesman for the Chinese legislature Zhang Yesui also said China condemned the US$350 billion America Competes Act as “small circle” diplomacy that could jeopardise America’s own interests.

“How the US wants to enhance its own competitive capabilities, including its chip development and manufacturing capabilities, is a matter for the US itself,” Zhang said at a press conference on Friday, before the start of the annual NPC gathering on Saturday.

“But the practice of using China’s development as an excuse and treating China as a strategic competitor will only undermine mutual trust and cooperation between China and the US, and will certainly harm the US’ own interests.”

The America Competes Act, which was passed by the US House of Representative last month, is aimed at improving supply chains and increasing US competitiveness with China.

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