China refuses to participate in what is described to be a scripted cold war based on Hollywood movies concocted by the Americans in the wake of United States Defense Secretary Ashton Carter’s criticisms last week.
An Associated Press report posted on the Washington Times revealed the disdain China felt for Carter's remarks last week when he accused China of a "Great Wall of self-isolation," with Chinese Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying calling it an attempt to cover the U.S. military expansion in the Asia-Pacific.
Carter's Comments
On Friday, the American defense secretary made the comment during his commencement speech at the U.S. Naval Academy, the South China Morning Post reported.
According to him, China's action may result in the erection of "a Great Wall of self-isolation" as the Asian giant continues to alienate other neighboring countries.
"The result is that China's actions could erect a great wall of self-isolation as countries across the region--allies, partners and the unaligned--are voicing concerns publicly and privately at the highest levels, regional meetings and global forums," he said.
Carter deemed this as a model that reflects the Asia-Pacific's distant past instead of a bright future ahead many are seeking.
The report pointed out how China sought to increase its power to be able to place dibs on territories that other countries have claimed to be part of their sovereignty.
Because of this, Carter said that the U.S. government had to act in order to ensure that all countries are able to exercise their right to freely sail and fly through the area.
"Only by ensuring that everyone plays by the same rules can we avoid the mistakes of the past where countries challenged one another in contests of strength and will with disastrous consequences," Carter said in his speech, adding that China's actions challenge this very principles and that the U.S. will not look the other way.
China's Reaction
China responded to Carter's words with a shrug and called him a Hollywood fanatic who was stuck with the "cold war mentality."
"Indeed, there are some in the U.S. who live physically in the 21st century, but whose minds are stuck in the Cold War era," Hua said in a statement.
She further declared that China refuses to participate in any form of Cold War or scenarios that can only be seen in Hollywood movies.
"China has no interest in any form of Cold War, nor are we interested in playing a role in a Hollywood movie written and directed by certain U.S. military officials," she added. "However, China has no fear of and will counter any actions that threaten and undermine China's sovereignty and security."