Beijing Says Blinken Speech 'Smears China'

China's foreign ministry accused, on Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken of "smearing" the country after calling for action to counterbalance Beijing's influence.

China has faced a chorus of warnings from the United States and Western allies in recent days over its growing influence and global ambitions.

In his speech at George Washington University on Thursday, Blinken called China the “most serious long-term challenge to the international order” amid the Russian war in Ukraine.

“China is the only country with both the intent to reshape the international order and, increasingly, the economic, diplomatic, military and technological power to do it,” Blinken said.

“Beijing’s vision would move us away from the universal values that have sustained so much of the world’s progress over the past 75 years,” Blinken added.

During his speech, the Secretary of State outlined the Biden administration’s policy toward China, reiterating that the U.S. remains committed to a “One China” policy, a diplomatic agreement that there is only one Chinese government but allows the U.S. to maintain an unofficial relationship with Taiwan.

“We do not support Taiwan independence, and we expect cross-strait differences to be resolved by peaceful means,” he said. “Our policy has not changed. What has changed is Beijing’s growing coercion, like trying to cut off Taiwan’s relations with countries around the world and blocking it from participating in international organizations.”