Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin Photo: mfa.gov.cn

The US should stop treating China as an imaginary enemy and correct the wrong behavior of engaging in major power confrontation under the guise of competition, spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Wang Wenbin said at a regular press conference on Monday.

The remarks came after US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo called China "the biggest threat we've ever had" and said that "China is not our friend," while speaking at a national defense forum in California on Saturday (US time), AFP reported.

In response to media requests for comment on her statement, Wang reviewed a previous statement by US President Joe Biden that "the US has no intention to halt China's economic development or scientific and technological progress."

"Conflicting statements from US officials make it challenging to gain trust from China and the international community…it also exposes a deep-rooted Cold War mentality and hegemonic attitudes among certain individuals in the US," Wang said.

China never bets against the US, and has no intention to challenge the US or to unseat it, Wang said.

The US should develop an accurate understanding of China, effectively implement the important consensus reached at the China-US summit in San Francisco, cease treating China as an imaginary enemy, correct the misguided approach of promoting major power rivalry under the guise of competition, and avoid saying one thing and doing another, the spokesperson said.

Citing an editorial from the Global Times, Wang said "going against the principles and laws of the free trade market is like building a dam with a sieve. No matter how hard you try, water will still find its way through the gaps and flow where it should."

The US has implemented measures to exert control over China in crucial technological domains, particularly in the realm of semiconductors, over the past few years.

Despite these efforts, Chinese companies have persistently achieved numerous breakthroughs. Some US chip manufacturers have also sustained their business relations with China in attempting to navigate around restrictions imposed by Washington to ensure the continuity of their operations.

Despite the external challenges, many companies, including US multinationals, actively explored partnerships at the recent China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing, another reflection of their willingness to build stronger ties with their major trading partner.