China says it will stick to US trade deal, but will respond to ‘bullying’

BEIJING (Reuters) – China said Thursday it will stick to the Phase 1 trade deal it reached with the United States earlier this year, but warned that it will respond to Washington’s “intimidation” tactics as relations continue. deteriorating.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying also invited the United States Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, to come to China and visit the western region of Xinjiang to see that there are no human rights violations, responding to sanctions and allegations of wrongdoing by Washington against Uighur Muslim minorities living there.

Relations between Beijing and Washington are the worst in decades as they collide on multiple fronts, including China’s handling of the coronavirus outbreak, Hong Kong’s new national security law, trade, and allegations of rights crimes. humans in Xinjiang.

Washington on Tuesday removed the special status designation for Hong Kong and imposed sanctions against senior Chinese officials and companies on Hong Kong and Xinjiang. Beijing condemned the movements and promised to retaliate.

The New York Times reported that the United States is considering a travel ban against all members of China’s ruling Communist Party, a move that would further pressure an increasingly troubled relationship.

Hua told reporters during a daily briefing that such a ban, if true, would be “pathetic.”

When asked if the recent sanctions imposed by Washington will affect the trade deal, Hua told reporters that China hopes the deal can still be implemented.

“We always implement our commitments, but we know that some in the United States are oppressing China and intimidating China,” he said. “As an independent sovereign state, China must respond to intimidation practices by the United States; we must say no, we must give answers and take reactive measures ”.

“If the United States thinks that everything China does is a threat, then it will be a self-fulfilling prophecy.”

Hua also called Washington’s accusations of human rights crimes against Uighur minorities the “greatest lies of the century.”

“We welcome him (Pompeo) to travel to our country and see what the opinion of the Xinjiang people is about him,” he said. “I could introduce you to some Uighur friends.”