Beijing, China - July 23, 2021 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Press conference in progress
2. Various of reporters, camera crew
3. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Zhao Lijian, spokesman, Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
"The so-called 'competition, cooperation and confrontation' approach for dealing with China by the U.S. side is in essence defining China as a competitor, stoking confrontation and containing and suppressing China's development. This approach does not distinguish between the major aspect and minor aspect of China-U.S. relations. It is not in line with the facts, the fundamental interests of the two peoples and the trend of the times. It fundamentally originates from a zero-sum mentality."
4. Various of reporters
5. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Zhao Lijian, spokesman, Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
"I would like to stress that the U.S. has repeatedly claimed to talk to China from 'a position of strength', which reflects its arrogance and bullying. As China has pointed out many times, the U.S. is in no position to lecture or point fingers at China, or to deal with China from 'a position of strength'. We didn't buy that in Anchorage, and we certainly won't buy that in Tianjin."
6. Various of reporters
7. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Zhao Lijian, spokesman, Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
"China always believes that China-U.S. relations should be based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, rather than one side taking the benefit only. The development of China-U.S. relations needs a 'guard rail', but it cannot be defined by the U.S. unilaterally. The U.S. should stop interfering in China's internal affairs, stop smearing China and stop harming China's interests. This is the 'guard rail' for the bilateral ties in a real sense. During Deputy Secretary Sherman's visit to China, we will continue to elaborate on China's principled position on developing China-U.S. relations and firmly safeguard sovereignty, security and development interests."
8. Reporters, camera crew
9. Press conference in progress

The United States is in no position to point fingers at China, and should stop interfering in China's affairs and harming China's interests, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian at a press briefing on Friday in Beijing.

Zhao made the remarks in response to a series of statement on China-U.S. ties made by the U.S. Department of State ahead of Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman's trip to China.

U.S. Department of State spokesman Ned Price said Wednesday that his country's relationship with China is "fundamentally competitive at its core".

Zhao responded to the remarks on Friday's press conference, saying the U.S. side could not distinguish the mainstream and tributaries of the bilateral ties.

"The so-called 'competition, cooperation and confrontation' approach for dealing with China by the U.S. side is in essence defining China as a competitor, stoking confrontation and containing and suppressing China's development. This approach does not distinguish between the major aspect and minor aspect of China-U.S. relations. It is not in line with the facts, the fundamental interests of the two peoples and the trend of the times. It fundamentally originates from a zero-sum mentality," said Zhao.

In the explanation of Sherman's visit, the U.S. side said it was engaging with China "from a position of strength". An official statement also said Sherman's trip to China would be "part of ongoing U.S. efforts to hold candid exchanges with PRC officials to advance U.S. interests and values."

Zhao on Friday said the statements showed the arrogance of the U.S., and that China will take a hardline stance on the issues in the upcoming Tianjin meeting.

"I would like to stress that the U.S. has repeatedly claimed to talk to China from 'a position of strength', which reflects its arrogance and bullying. As China has pointed out many times, the U.S. is in no position to lecture or point fingers at China, or to deal with China from 'a position of strength'. We didn't buy that in Anchorage, and we certainly won't buy that in Tianjin," said Zhao.

Commenting on Price's remarks that the U.S. wanted to make sure the bilateral ties "a relationship that has guard rails", Zhao pointed out that the U.S. should give the relationship a real guard rail by stopping interfering in China's internal affairs and respecting China's interests.

"China always believes that China-U.S. relations should be based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, rather than one side taking the benefit only. The development of China-U.S. relations needs a 'guard rail', but it cannot be defined by the U.S. unilaterally. The U.S. should stop interfering in China's internal affairs, stop smearing China and harming China's interests. This is the 'guard rail' for the bilateral ties in a real sense," said Zhao.

"During Deputy Secretary Sherman's visit to China, we will continue to elaborate on China's principled position on developing China-U.S. relations and firmly safeguard sovereignty, security and development interests," Zhao added.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman will visit north China's Tianjin Municipality from July 25 to 26.