China’s envoy in Washington warns US against ‘strategic miscalculation’, pledges investment opportunities

Ambassador Xie says the ‘small yard, high fence’ policy of US President Joe Biden’s administration is damaging both countries’ interests

Reading Time:4 minutes

Xie Feng, China’s ambassador to the US, addresses attendees at a National Day event at the Chinese embassy in Washington on Monday. Photo: SCMP

Published: 9:13am, 1 Oct 2024Updated: 5:45pm, 1 Oct 2024

China’s ambassador to the US called on Washington to avoid “strategic miscalculation” in its approach to Beijing, warning that Washington’s trade and tech restrictions could be “double-edged swords”.

Addressing an audience of more than 400 at a National Day reception at the Chinese embassy in Washington on Monday, Xie Feng said the “small yard, high fence” policy of US President Joe Biden’s administration was damaging both countries’ interests. He suggested that US investments to his country would benefit from economic reforms the government was undertaking.

He also reiterated that Taiwan was the “first and foremost red line” in US-China relations, while assuring that China would “never interfere” the US elections.

“The Chinese people should not be deprived of their rights to develop, and develop the economy and pursue a better life,” he said. “Trade war or tech war would be double-edged swords. Building small yard, high fence would only constrain one’s own space and serve nobody’s interest.”

Xie Feng has served as China’s ambassador to the US since May 2023. Photo: X/AmbXieFeng

“We have no strategy to overtake or replace the United States, no intention to overthrow the existing order or dominate, and no interest in geopolitical rivalry or a Game of Thrones,” Xie added.