TASS: It’s reported that U.S. Secretary of Defense said in a media interview that the U.S. doesn’t seek a war with China, but will rebuild the military and prepare for war. What’s the Foreign Ministry’s comment?

Lin Jian: The rhetoric of the U.S. official is aimed at fueling ideological confrontation and spreading so-called “China threat” that doesn’t exist. The U.S. needs to realize that China is NOT a mirror image of the hegemonic U.S. The U.S. should stop viewing China-U.S. relations with an outdated Cold War mentality. The U.S. must no longer seek to contain or go after China in the name of strategic competition. We’ve always held the clear-cut view that whatever kind of war it is, a tariff war or a trade war, a cold war or a hot war, they should not be fought and cannot be won. 

AFP: The United States has indicted 12 Chinese nationals, including two officials, for a series of hacking attacks, including a breach of the U.S. Treasury last year. What’s China’s comment on this?

Lin Jian: We reject the groundless U.S. accusations and urge the U.S. to immediately stop its wrongdoing of abusing sanctions. 

Last December, a Chinese cybersecurity agency disclosed two recent cyberattacks against Chinese high-tech companies launched by the U.S. intelligence community. The U.S. is the No.1 “hacking empire” in the world. We call on the U.S. to ditch its double standards and stop framing China.

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The third session of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) will invite Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi to hold a press conference on China’s foreign policy and foreign relations at Press Conference Hall, Media Center at 10:00 am on Friday, March 7. There will be no regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that day.