China urges US to stop wagging finger at others

Certain countries should stop finger-wagging at other countries but to match words with deeds, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Sunday when commenting on US Vice President Mike Pence’s recent remarks of China. A spokesperson statement quoted Mr Pence as saying, during the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ meeting held in Papua New Guinea, that China’s aid to Pacific Island countries saddled them with loans they could not afford.

“We suggest a certain country matches its words with its deeds, rather than wag the finger at others,” Ms Hua said.

“The country should treat all countries on an equal footing no matter big or small, respect other countries’ right of following a development path that accords with their own national conditions and make real contributions to developing countries.”

Ms Hua cited President Xi Jinping’s speeches during the APEC meeting, which stressed both international and regional co-operation should adhere to the principle of openness, development, inclusiveness and innovation, as well as rules-based approach, to cope with common challenge and achieve mutual benefits.

As the APEC has entered a critical stage of development, the Chinese side believes that all parties should demonstrate a responsible and constructive attitude, and calls for negotiation under the rules made collectively when encountering differences, rather than setting barriers, according to Ms Hua.

She said China had conducted sound co-operation with many countries, including mutually beneficial co-operation with developing countries under the framework of South-South co-operation. “Upholding justice while pursuing shared interests and the principle of sincerity, real results, affinity, and good faith, China has contributed to the social and economic development of these countries within its capability,” she said, adding that this kind of assistance, with no political conditions attached, had fully respected the willingness of the recipient countries and their people.

“There is not a single country getting into debt crisis due to its co-operation with China. On the contrary, they have all improved the capacity of independent development and people’s livelihood so the co-operation with China is widely welcomed by vast developing countries and their people.

“The international community has a fair opinion on the co-operation between China and other developing countries,” she said.