Chinese Ambassador Issues Stern Warning To US On 'Red Lines:' 'Taiwan Question Is The Most Paramount...And Must Not Be Crossed'

In a significant diplomatic address, Xie Feng, China's ambassador to the United States, issued a stern warning to the U.S., emphasizing non-interference and respect for China’s sovereignty.

What Happened: Feng delivered a strong message on Thursday in New York, emphasizing that the U.S. must not interfere with China or seek regime change, South China Morning Post reported on Friday.

During his address at the Asia Society conference, Xie celebrated the 45th anniversary of normalized relations between the two nations. However, he also outlined four critical “red lines” in U.S.-China relations: Taiwan, democracy, human rights, and China's right to develop.

Xie stressed that “pressure, sanctions, isolation, containment and blockades” are counterproductive and only lead to self-inflicted problems.

"The Taiwan question is the most paramount in China-US relations and must not be crossed. The notion of democracy versus authoritarianism is a fallacy. China's political system and development path are non-negotiable,” Xie added.

He criticized the U.S. for politicizing the relationship, overstretching national security, and using the “China card” for domestic gains. Xie emphasized that conflict and confrontation benefit no one, advocating for dialogue and consultation instead.

See Also: Apple’s iPhone Production Move To India Signals Broader Tech Exodus From China, With Microsoft And Amazon Following Suit, Says Analyst

Despite the tough rhetoric, Xie also appealed to the historical cooperation between the two nations, citing shared contributions to global economic growth and extensive bilateral trade. He concluded by expressing China’s desire for a stable, healthy, and sustainable relationship with the U.S.

Why It Matters: The timing of Xie's remarks is crucial as they come amid heightened tensions between the US and China on multiple fronts. Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives passed two Republican bills to reestablish the U.S. Justice Department's "China Initiative" and scrutinize Chinese property acquisitions, despite opposition from the White House. This move is part of the House Republican's "China Week," which saw over two dozen bills addressing Beijing's influence passed.

Additionally, the U.S. and its allies have raised alarms over China's support for Russia's military, which they believe is fueling the conflict in Ukraine and posing a global security threat. This concern was highlighted during the U.S.-EU dialogue on China and high-level consultations on the Indo-Pacific in Brussels. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell pointed out that China's aid is helping sustain and diversify Russia's military capabilities.

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This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Pooja Rajkumari