Chinese leader Xi Jinping called for building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries, as well as for opening up new opportunities for China's development in the region. This was reported by the "Xinhua" agency after a central conference on neighboring countries held in Beijing, BTA reports.
Xi, who is general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed the need for stable and mutually beneficial relations with countries in the region.
In parallel with the focus on neighbors, China has been clarifying its position on deteriorating economic relations with the United States. The State Council Information Office of China has published a white paper titled “China’s Position on Some Issues Concerning China-US Economic and Trade Relations.”
The document condemns the US administration’s increasing unilateralism and protectionism, which Beijing says hinders normal trade cooperation between the world’s two largest economies.
Since 2018, the US has imposed tariffs on Chinese exports worth more than $500 billion. This year, Washington has imposed additional tariffs, including “reciprocal” tariffs and tariffs related to allegations of illegal fentanyl imports. The total tariff has reached 104% and came into effect today.
“These actions reveal the US’s isolationist and coercive approach and run counter to the principles of a market economy and multilateralism,” the white paper said. The document warns that the measures will have serious consequences for bilateral economic relations.
In response, China has taken countermeasures to protect its national interests and expressed its readiness to resolve disputes through dialogue. Several consultative meetings have been held with US representatives.
The Chinese side emphasizes that differences between the two countries are inevitable given the different stages of development and economic systems, but finding solutions requires mutual respect and constructive dialogue.
China's Ministry of Commerce also expressed its position, stating that Beijing does not want a trade war with the US, but will be forced to respond if the Donald Trump administration continues to escalate tensions.
“There are no winners in a trade war“, the official statement of the ministry reads. “China does not seek confrontation, but will not allow the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese people to be infringed.“