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China’s ‘two sessions’ 2023: Xi Jinping directly accuses US of leading Western suppression of China
- In rare singling out of Washington, Chinese president says America brings his country ‘unprecedented severe challenges to the country’s development’
- A key agenda for the ongoing parliamentary sessions is to determine ways to cut reliance on the US
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Chinese President Xi Jinping has directly accused the United States of leading other Western nations to suppress China’s development.
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Xi’s remarks are a rare example of a Chinese leader singling out Washington, and are the latest sign of frustration by the Chinese leadership about the state of China-US relations.
“Western countries, led by the United States, have implemented all-round containment and suppression of China, which has brought unprecedented severe challenges to the country’s development,” Xi was quoted by state news agency Xinhua as saying. He was speaking in a panel discussion on the sidelines of China’s parliamentary session on Monday.
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China’s top political advisory body kicks off annual session
China’s top political advisory body kicks off annual session
The external environment for the country’s development had changed rapidly, and there was a significant rise in uncertainty and unpredictable factors, Xi said.
He said in future “the risks and challenges we face will only increase and become more severe”.
Xi’s criticism came as tensions between China and the US showed no signs of cooling despite talks between their leaders.
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A planned visit to China by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in early February was called off in the heat of accusations that Beijing had been spying with a balloon – claims Beijing denied. It was followed by weeks of further accusations between the two powers, dashing hopes for a reset in their relations.
The US also asked Japan and the Netherlands to tighten export controls of chip manufacturing equipment and technologies to China, prompting Beijing to warn the two exporters to not disrupt the supply chain.
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