Photo taken on July 23, 2020 shows the frontal exterior of the Chinese Embassy in the United States, Washington, D.C., the United States.Photo:Xinhua

 
The Chinese Embassy in the US on Saturday blasted a US-Japan joint statement that grossly interfered in China's internal affairs regarding Taiwan, Hong Kong and Xinjiang and ironically attempts to sow division in the Asia-Pacific, while trying to forge a nuclear contaminated Indo-Pacific. 

Following a meeting between US president Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga in Washington on Friday, the two countries issued a joint statement that takes aim at China in a wide range of issues and vowed to work together to "take on the challenges from China."

In response to the joint statement, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy expressed strong concern and firm opposition to the comments, saying that Taiwan, Hong Kong and Xinjiang-related issues are Chinese internal affairs and that "China will firmly safeguard its national sovereignty, security and development interests."

The spokesperson further said that the remarks made by the US and Japan in the joint statement undermine the interests of a third party, the mutual trust among Asia-Pacific countries, and the peace and stability in the region.

"It cannot be more ironic that such attempt of stoking division and building blocs against other countries is put under the banner of 'free and open," the spokesperson said, warning that such an attempt will only backfire and "only end up hurting themselves."

The spokesperson further commented on the Japanese government's decision to dump Fukushima radioactive wastewater into the ocean and the US' support for the plan, saying that the move is "extremely irresponsible" and will gravely damage interests of regional countries and peoples.

"It is also inappropriate for the [US] to acquiesce. Do the [US] and Japan want to forge a nuclear contaminated Indo-Pacific?" the spokesperson said, urging the countries exercise caution regarding the treatment of radioactive wastewater.

Global Times