Antony Blinken, the United States Secretary of State, who is representing the country at a bilateral summit with China, organised in Alaska, did not hold back any necessary comments in his opening statements and stated that the actions taken by the Chinese authorities “threaten the rules-based order that maintains global stability.”

The United States official said that the country will ensure discussion about their “deep concerns with actions by China, including Xinjiang,” in an attempt to point out the alleged “genocide” of the Uyghur Muslims community, reported AFP. 

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Blinken also promised to initiate deliberations of pressing issues like cyber attacks, strong-arming economic allies of the US and the evolving situations in Taiwan and Hong Kong, which are known to suppress democratic values. 

Jake Sullivan, the National Security Advisor to US President Joe Biden and a crucial delegate at the summit, said that the United States is looking for a strategic rivalry from China, instead of conflict. 

He said, “We do not seek conflict, but we welcome stiff competition. And we will always stand up for our principles for our people, and for our friends.”

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In response to the opening statements made by the US officials, the Chinese side went head-on with their replies and threatened to take “firm action” if the United States continues to interfere in the country’s matters. The officials went on to call out a “Cold War mentality” held by the US while urging them to disengage.

The head of the Foreign Affairs Commission Office of the Chinese Communist Party, Yang Jiechi, who is also a counterpart of Blinken, said, “China is firmly opposed to US interference in China’s internal affairs. We have expressed our staunch opposition to such interference, and we will take firm actions in response. What we need to do is to abandon the Cold War mentality and the zero sum game approach”, reported AFP.