China ‘no threat’ to other nations, President Xi Jinping says, in thinly veiled message to US
In barely disguised dig at Donald Trump, Premier Li Keqiang says nations must also keep emotions in check if they want to avoid a trade war
China’s leaders delivered veiled jabs at US President Donald Trump at the close of the country’s biggest political event of the year, as trade tensions between the two nations continue to simmer.
Without naming the United States, Chinese President Xi Jinping hit out at those who perceived China’s rise as a threat, as the curtain fell on the annual meeting of the National People’s Congress, the country’s legislature, in Beijing.
“Our development poses no threat to other countries,” he said in a speech, characterised by its strikingly nationalistic tone. “Only those who’re given to threatening other people will perceive other people as a threat.”
Moments later, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang appeared to fire a warning to Trump to keep his emotions in check if he wanted to prevent a trade war breaking out between the world’s two biggest economies.
“A trade war does no good to either side, and no one will emerge a winner from a trade war,” he told reporters. “I hope that both sides can act rationally instead of being led by emotion.”
