Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeUncategorizedChina demands US act to improve military ties amid tensions

China demands US act to improve military ties amid tensions

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Defence Ministry spokesman Ren Guoqiang AV

China on Thursday criticised the United States for flying B-52 bombers in the vicinity of the South China Sea, and demanded that the US take steps to improve military relations amid heightened tensions between the two countries.

Defence Ministry spokesman Ren Guoqiang told a monthly briefing that China is resolutely opposed to provocative US military actions in the South China Sea – where China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines have rival claims.

Separately, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang denied the US President Donald Trump’s accusation that Beijing is trying to influence the US congressional elections in November.

“We advise the United States to stop this unceasing criticism and slander of China,” Geng said at a briefing in Beijing.

“Stop these wrong words and deeds that damage bilateral relations and the basic interests of both the countries people,” Geng said.

The two countries, already engaged in an acrimonious trade war, continue to butt heads over a list of sensitive issues including the South China Sea and Taiwan.

On Saturday, China summoned the US ambassador in Beijing and postponed joint military talks to protest Washington’s decision to sanction a Chinese military agency and its director for buying Russian fighter jets and a surface-to-air missile system.

Beijing has also denied a request for a U.S. warship to visit Hong Kong, the US consulate in the Chinese city said on Tuesday.

China also expressed anger after the US approved the sale of spare parts for F-16 fighter planes and other military aircraft worth up to $330 million to self-ruled Taiwan, which China considers a renegade province.

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