Spokesman refutes US accusations of China's "unfair advantages" in trade

China urged the United States to respect the law of market economy and stop slandering Chinese trade practices, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Friday.

Addressing a press briefing in Beijing, spokesman Lin Jian made the comments in response to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's recent remarks accusing China of relying on an "unfair advantage" in international trade.

Lin said the U.S. allegation goes against economic common sense and misrepresents objective facts.

"China's economy has grown in strength in the ocean of the global market, following international trade norms and rules of market economy. We rely on our mega-size market, complete industrial system, rich labor resources and full market competition. These are China's comparative advantages," he said.

The spokesman denounced U.S. practices of decoupling and introducing discriminatory measures against Chinese firms.

"The U.S. has overstretched the concept of national security in the economic field, advocated decoupling and disruption of industrial and supply chains and build 'small yards with high fences' to deliberately interfere with normal international trade. It passed legislations including the 'Inflation Reduction Act' to subsidize specific domestic industries, which also included a raft of discriminatory arrangements against foreign firms, especially the exclusionary and restrictive measures against China. Are these de-globalization practices, which exclude competition and violate the law of market economy, not seeking 'unfair' advantages?" said Lin.

He called on the U.S. to reverse its polices and practices that are deemed "non-market."

"While accusing China, the U.S. itself has not been matching its words with actions. This is a typical double standard and high-handed and bullying act. China urges the U.S. to respect the law of market economy, comply with international economic and trade rules, quit irresponsible slander, stop over-stretching the concept of national security, and correct non-market policies and practices," said Lin.

Spokesman refutes US accusations of China's "unfair advantages" in trade

Lai Ching-te has sent a dangerous signal of seeking "Taiwan independence" and making provocations to undermine cross-Strait peace and stability in his first speech upon assuming the role of Taiwan region's new leader on Monday, according to scholars and commentators.

Many in China's Taiwan region have pointed out that while Lai Ching-te's speeches have repeatedly emphasized the importance of peace for Taiwan, they see no concrete action on how to achieve it.

"He does not listen to public opinion and displays great arrogance. He blatantly intends to continue pursuing the 'two states' theory and will attempt to solicit U.S. support for 'Taiwan independence'. [He] disregards the desire of Taiwan for easing the situation in cross-Straits relations, which will create new factors that could lead to tensions in the Taiwan Strait," said You Zixiang, a professor at Shih Hsin University.

"After listening to his entire speech, I feel that not only did he fail to express any genuine intentions for peaceful coexistence and common prosperity, but he used the concept of peaceful coexistence and common prosperity as a cover and disguise for creating a 'peaceful division'," said Wang Bingzhong, a commentator in the Taiwan region.

In the Taiwan region, there is growing concern across various sectors that future opportunities for communication between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait will become increasingly scarce.

"[The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities] are deepening the roots of political hatred. I think that since Taiwan has already experienced the tragic 'White Terror' in the past, why should we embark on a journey of 'Green Terror'?" said Chi Chia-Lin, president of the Reunification Alliance Party.

"I'm actually very concerned. Lai Ching-te's staffing arrangements have revealed his extreme ideology, and it seems that he will continue to put stress on cross-Strait relations," said Shi Xueqin, a student at Chi Nan University in Taiwan.

Lai sends dangerous signal in first speech as Taiwan's new leader: scholars, commentators