China’s Xi takes jabs at U.S.
Chides America for Korean War during commemoration
BEIJING — Chinese leader Xi Jinping condemned “unilateralism, protectionism and extreme egoism” in a jab at the United States made during a rally Friday to mark the
70th anniversary of China’s entry into the 1950-53 Korean War.
China refers to the conflict, in which it sent troops to aid North Korean forces against a United Nations coalition led by America, as the “War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea.”
Although it ended in a stalemate, the war established China as a major player on the world stage and Friday’s commemorations closely fit with Xi’s drive to promote patriotism and the unquestioned leadership of the ruling Communist Party.
“In today’s world, the pursuit of unilateralism, protectionism and extreme egoism leads nowhere,” Xi told an audience of government and party leaders, veterans and family members of those who served in what China calls the Chinese People’s Volunteers.
The anniversary comes as China’s relations with the U.S. have sunk to their lowest level in decades as the sides feud over trade, human rights, allegations of spying and Chinese policies regarding Hong Kong, Taiwan and the South China Sea.
Beijing, meanwhile, remains North Korea’s most important diplomatic ally and trading partner, and has pushed back at U.S. efforts to bring economic pressure on Pyongyang to prompt it to end its nuclear weapons and missile programs.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian reinforced the importance of Friday’s anniversary, saying the war’s outcome proved that “justice will prevail and peaceful development is an irresistible historical trend.”
U.S. relations with North Korea featured briefly in Thursday’s presidential debate, with President
Donald Trump saying the Obama administration left him a “mess” to deal with in terms of tempering relations with North Korea.
Trump said he had warded off a war that could have threatened millions of lives, and that former President Barack Obama had told him he viewed potential danger from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as among the greatest national security threats.
Democratic nominee Joe Biden said Trump had “legitimized” a “thug” by meeting and forging a relationship with Kim.
Trump countered that Kim “didn’t like Obama” and insisted, “Having a good relationship with other countries is a good thing.”
North Korea didn’t immediately react to the U.S. presidential debate.
Many North Korea watchers say Kim would prefer for Trump be re-elected to get a chance to restart stalled nuclear negotiations in exchange for badly needed sanctions relief.