Tensions between the US and China have increased over the past few years.
Eng Koon Tea AFP Getty Images
BEIJING – The US rejected the idea that it wanted to slow down China and said it did not want to split the two economies, according to comments by a State Department spokesman.
The spokesperson responded to CNBC’s request for comment on Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang’s comments Tuesday. Qin said that the US asking to “erect fences” on the relationship meant that China should not react.
Qin also said the U.S. should “press the brakes” to avoid conflict with China.
“We have been clear that we are not seeking to contain China or have a new Cold War,” said a US State Department spokesman.
The spokeswoman referred to comments by Foreign Minister Antony Blinken last year that said the US was not seeking to prevent China from developing its economy or “advancing the interests of the people.”
“He also said that we don’t want to cut off China’s economy from us, even though China is working towards asymmetric decoupling,” the spokesman said.
