LisaKeyser
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said that US Vice President Mike Pence was "arrogant and hypocritical" after his speech against Beijing.
In a regular press conference today, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying asked the US to "stop expressing irresponsible opinions," referring to a speech by US Vice President Mike Pence at the organized by the Wilson Center in Washington yesterday.
Vice President Mike Pence spoke at the Wilson Center in Washington DC yesterday Photo: AFP
During the 40-minute speech, Pence criticized a series of Chinese policies such as economic activities, military and treatment of minor religious groups, and voiced support for protests in Hong Kong. According to the US Vice President, China has not made significant moves to improve economic relations with the United States, while it acts increasingly aggressive and destabilizing.
Pence said that the actions of militarizing the South China Sea and China's approach to neighboring countries in the region in recent years "increasingly provocative", such as "intimidation of Malaysian and Philippine sailors and fishermen" , or "preventing Vietnam from carrying out oil and gas exploitation activities in Vietnam's waters".
"To clarify to China that no country has the right to claim sovereignty over international waters, the US over the past year has increased the frequency and scope of its operations to patrol freedom of navigation and increase its presence. military throughout the Indo-Pacific, "he said.
Referring to the Hong Kong protest, the US Vice President said that President Donald Trump made clear from the beginning that there must be a peaceful solution, respecting the rights of Hong Kong people defined in the Sino-British Joint Declaration. 1984.
Ms Hoa said that Pence's statement was "arrogant and hypocritical," saying the US had lost "all morality and trust" and urged Washington "to stop damaging actions." relationship and mutual trust between the two countries ".
Vice President Pence's remarks came amid the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit opening in Chile next month. The White House expressed hope that President Donald Trump will sign a preliminary trade agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the event.
