Chui Tiankai Criticizes US Attacks on China: "China Has the Right to Prosper"

"Hong Kong Security Law, a Bill for a Safe Environment"
"US Intervention in the South China Sea Fuels Regional Instability"

Choi Tiankai, Chinese Ambassador to the United States

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Sun-mi] As US-China relations show no signs of recovery, Cui Tiankai, China's ambassador to the United States, openly criticized the US's aggressive policy toward China, asserting that China has the right to prosper just like other countries.

According to CNN on the 19th (local time), Ambassador Cui said in an interview that regarding the Western view that under President Xi Jinping's regime China is wielding more expansionist and oppressive power, "People need to see reality more clearly," adding, "China has the legitimate right to become a modernized, strong, and prosperous country like other nations."

He questioned, "I want to ask whether the United States is ready to live with other countries that have different cultures, political, and economic systems," and "I want to ask if there is a willingness to peacefully cooperate on many global challenges."

He also expressed explicit dissatisfaction with the US's diplomatic policies toward China concerning issues in Hong Kong, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and the South China Sea.

Regarding former US President Donald Trump's executive order terminating Hong Kong's special status, citing China's implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, Ambassador Cui explained, "Mainland China and Hong Kong officials have emphasized in recent weeks that the Hong Kong National Security Law upholds the 'one country, two systems' principle and that the law can actually make Hong Kong more stable. People will have a more predictable and safer environment for doing business in Hong Kong. This is the true purpose of implementing the law."

On allegations that China is suppressing human rights in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, he stated, "China has not carried out forced repression against the Uygur people," pointing out that "(critics) are basing their judgments and perceptions on 'questionable sources.'"

He also expressed the position that US interference in the South China Sea issue should end.

Ambassador Cui said, "We hold a very strong position on sovereignty over the South China Sea and have historical and legal grounds for our sovereignty claims," adding, "We want to resolve issues with other (disputing) countries through diplomatic negotiations. Rather, US involvement in the South China Sea is destabilizing the region." He criticized, "If there were no external interference, tensions in the region surrounding the South China Sea would have eased. Unfortunately, countries like the United States are intervening to increase military presence and are trying to deploy troops in this area."