China ‘never coerces’ and ‘never threatens’ countries

MANILA, Philippines — China “never coerces” and “never threatens” countries, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian denied the United States’ accusation that China is conducting coercive diplomacy, saying that one of the traditions in China’s diplomacy is its belief that all countries, big or small, are equal.

“China never coerces others and we firmly opposes coercion by other countries,” Zhao said at a press conference on Monday.

When national sovereignty and dignity is under coercion or violation, he said China responds with reasonable and lawful countermeasures to defend its legitimate rights and interests and uphold international equity and justice.

“China never threatens other countries with force,” he added.

China continues to reject a multilateral dialogue with other claimant states in the South China Sea.

Beijing repeatedly claimed it is a “builder of world peace, a contributor to global development and and upholder of international order.”

Meanwhile, China’s top diplomat in the Philippines insisted yesterday on “bilateral consultation” and “friendly communication” between the Philippines and China in managing the South China Sea differences.

Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian responded to questions about the Department of Foreign Affairs move to summon a senior official of the Chinese embassy in Manila on April 13 to protest China Coast Guard’s harassment of a marine research vessel in the West Philippine Sea.

“We are two neighbors who have some differences, but what is crucial is the way and manner we handle the differences. We need to manage our differences with bilateral consultation and friendly communication,” Huang said at the turnover of various broadcast equipment donated by China to the Presidential Communications Operations Office.