China on Friday expressed strong indignation and firm opposition to U.S. Vice President Mike Pence's latest speech against China, saying that Pence's speech exuded "arrogance and hypocrisy" and was "full of lies and political bias."

Criticizing the remarks, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said during Friday's regular press briefing that a small amount of U.S. politicians "deliberately distort the truth" and "meddle in China's internal affairs, and hinder the development and stability of China."

Previously on Thursday, Pence had launched a wide-ranging critique of China in Washington, D.C., accusing it of growing increasingly "aggressive and destabilizing" in recent years. He also backed the Hong Kong protests, slammed China's policy on Muslim Uygurs in Xinjiang and fiercely criticized the NBA and Nike for "siding with China."

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Pence's speech was restrained and left the door open

In response, Hua noted the remarkable achievements China has made, such as lifting more than 800 million Chinese people out of poverty. She stressed that under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), China has found a development path that suits China's situation. The Chinese people have full confidence in this path and are unwaveringly committed to it, she added. 

"Any attempts to split, destabilize China or throw dirty water on China are pipe dreams," Hua said.

Moreover, Hua refuted Pence's groundless allegations regarding human rights in China, saying that the level of Chinese people's satisfaction is a good measure to gauge the state of human rights in China. In addition, she slammed U.S. politicians like Pence for turning a blind eye to their internal conflicts, such as shooting incidents and racism, while pointing fingers around the globe with sanctions and withdrawing from international treaties and agreements.

"China's development does not pose a threat to any country. China does not seek hegemony or expansion, and China has friends all over the world," Hua stressed. "Anyone who attempts to drive a wedge between China and other countries will eventually disgrace themselves."

Furthermore, the spokesperson said that China has a clear and consistent stance on China-U.S. relations, reiterating that bilateral relations are not a zero-sum game but about win-win cooperation based on mutual respect and common grounds.

Pointing out that the bilateral relations between the two nations are at a key stage, Hua urged the U.S. to act in the fundamental interests of the two peoples, stop making irresponsible comments, and focus on fully implementing the consensuses reached by two leaders and push forward bilateral relations.

(Cover: U.S. Vice President Mike Pence speaks at the U.S. ambassador's residence, in Ankara, Turkey, October 17, 2019. /VCG Photo)