China censures US for stigmatizing Beijing-Moscow trade ties

China has censured the United States for politicizing its trade dealings with other countries, particularly Russia.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at the regular press briefing in Beijing on Monday that the normal trade relations between China and Russia should not be subjected to foreign meddling or restrictions.

The legitimate rights and interests of China and Chinese companies should not be harmed, she said, warning the United States that China will take resolute measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.

“Our two sides will exchange views and coordinate positions on the growth of bilateral relations, cooperation in various fields, and international and regional issues of mutual interest,” the Chinese official said.

Beijing prepares to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia.

China says combined drills with Iran, Russia ‘important’ for regional security

The Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman says joint exercises of the naval forces of China, Iran and Russia strengthen military cooperation between the three countries and play an important role in maritime security across the region.

On the war between Ukraine and Russia, the Chinese Foreign Ministry official said Beijing is committed to playing a constructive role in promoting a ceasefire and the political settlement of the conflict.

In the meantime, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in China on Monday for an official visit on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

International relations analysts observing diplomatic relations said the comprehensive strategic partnership between Beijing and Moscow will be further strengthened during the visit.

In related news, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen ended her second trip to China, where she raised American concerns about what was said to be Chinese overproduction as well as the support for Russia.

Yellen issued a very blunt warning to Chinese banks regarding ties with Moscow. She said any banks that facilitate significant transactions that channel military or dual-use goods to Russia’s defense industrial base expose themselves to the risk of US sanctions.

Over the span of four days, Yellen had wide-ranging meetings with Chinese leaders, local officials, academics, students and American executives both in the southern metropolis of Guangzhou as well as the capital Beijing.

In her meetings she talked about the trade disputes between the world’s largest economies as Washington and Beijing try to stabilize relations following a summit between US President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping last November.

‘China threat’ rhetoric by Treasury's Yellen on official visit riles Chinese

Xinhua says the US criticism of Chinese overcapacity is a rehash of the “China threat” rhetoric.

Yellen had a tough message for Beijing: China’s surging exports of state-subsidized electronic vehicles (EVs), solar panels and batteries are threatening American jobs and businesses, and must be reined in.

She said at a news conference on Monday she had expressed Washington’s concerns to senior officials in China about the features of the Chinese economy that had “growing negative spillovers” on not only the United States, but also the world.

“I am particularly worried about how China’s enduring macroeconomic imbalances — namely its weak household consumption and business over-investment, aggravated by large-scale government support in specific industrial sectors — will lead to significant risk to workers and businesses in the United States and the rest of the world.”

In an editorial published late Friday, Chinese state media said Yellen’s arguments were a “pretext” for the implementation of protectionist US policies.

“Talking up ‘Chinese overcapacity’ in the clean energy sector also smacks of creating a pretext for rolling out more protectionist policies to shield US companies,” Xinhua said.

“After all, it is now known by the world that Washington will not hesitate to show its protectionist teeth under the guise of national security in areas where its supremacy is challenged.”

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