China Questions U.S. Confidence Amid Improving Relations

China's Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, criticized the United States for continuing to add Chinese companies to sanctions lists and questioned its confidence as a world power. He noted that relations between China and the US have improved since President Xi Jinping and Joe Biden met. However, Wang also warned that if the US persists in attempting to suppress China, it will harm itself. In response to US efforts to contain China's rise, Wang described this as "unfathomable absurdity," and China has refused to change its approach if the US becomes anxious. Additionally, Beijing has criticized Israel's war in Gaza as a "disgrace for civilization" and has called for an immediate ceasefire since the conflict began in October 2023. China has historically been sympathetic to the Palestinian cause and supportive of a two-state solution.