Foreign Ministry dismisses Blinken's statement

The Foreign Ministry strongly rejected on Wednesday a statement issued by the United States' Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the 1989 political disturbance in Beijing, saying that Washington's move has seriously interfered in China's internal affairs.

"This is a deliberate attack on China's system and a smear of China's image. China is strongly dissatisfied and firmly opposes it," ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a regular news briefing in Beijing.

Mao said the Chinese government had made a clear conclusion on the political turbulence that occurred in the late 1980s.

The US side should act on the US leader's commitments of respecting China's system and not seek to change China's system, among others, she said, urging Washington to stop inciting ideological confrontation and interfering in China's internal affairs under the pretext of human rights.

The spokeswoman said the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics suits the realities of China, reflects the will of the Chinese people, adapts to the call of the times, and enjoys the wholehearted endorsement of all Chinese people and wide recognition of the international community.

"We will unswervingly follow this path and advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese modernization. No one or no force could prevent the Chinese people on their way forward," she said.

Mao added that China urges the US to immediately correct its mistakes and truly respect China's sovereignty and development path.

mojingxi@chinadaily.com