China's National People's Congress Targets US Competition Law for Undermining Its Own Interests

China's Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law as a Defense Against Suppression
NPC Spokesperson Emphasizes Mutual Respect, Peaceful Coexistence, and Win-Win Cooperation with the US

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] The National People's Congress (NPC), China's parliament, argued that the United States treating China as a strategic competitor not only harms their own interests but also weakens mutual cooperation between the two countries.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

NPC spokesperson Zhang Yesui said at a press conference held on the 4th, the day before the opening of the 5th annual session of the 13th NPC, "Mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation between the U.S. and China align with the fundamental interests of both countries and their peoples," adding, "This is what the international community expects."

The strategic competitor treatment mentioned by spokesperson Zhang appears to refer to the "U.S. Innovation and Competition Act" (hereafter Competition Act) passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in June last year and the "Forced Labor Prevention Act" legislated by the U.S. Senate this year.

He emphasized that during the video call between President Xi Jinping and President Biden in November last year, they had an in-depth discussion on the development of China-U.S. relations, stating, "China's policy toward the U.S. is consistent and clear." He further noted that stable China-U.S. relations not only benefit the development of both countries but also help maintain a peaceful and stable international environment.

He pointed out that the core of peaceful coexistence must be based on mutual respect for each other's chosen political systems and development paths, respect for each other's core interests, and respect for the basic norms of international relations such as non-interference in internal affairs. He added that win-win cooperation is a fundamental interest of both countries and also an expectation of the international community.

Seemingly targeting the Competition Act passed by the U.S. Congress, he said, "Using China's development as an excuse to treat China as a strategic competitor inevitably harms not only China but also the interests of the United States itself." He emphasized, "How the U.S. improves its own competitiveness is up to the United States itself," implying that imposing sanctions on Chinese companies to enhance the competitiveness of U.S. advanced industries such as semiconductors is not the right approach.

Spokesperson Zhang also raised his voice, saying, "Drawing ideological lines and forming small groups to collectively oppose each other are all against the trend of the times," adding, "This will not be realized."

After the U.S. House passed the U.S. Competition Act in June last year, China enacted the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law as a countermeasure.

Regarding China's Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, spokesperson Zhang explained that many countries respond to foreign sanctions and interference through legislation as a common practice, and China's Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law is a customized special law emphasizing the word 'anti.' He further elaborated that China has opposed hegemonism and power politics, and this law is a defensive measure against oppression, fundamentally different from the unilateral sanctions imposed by some countries (the U.S.).

The NPC officially opens on the 5th, and after the meeting concludes, Premier Li Keqiang will announce the economic growth target, defense budget size, and foreign policy direction.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.