Beijing asks U.S. to stop smears after Rubio calls China 'biggest threat'

Beijing urged Washington to establish a correct China perception and stop unwarranted attacks and smears against China after the United States President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeled China as the U.S.' biggest threat.

Speaking at a bipartisan Senate committee on Thursday, Rubio also said the U.S. must show China that it would pay too high a price if it "invades Taiwan".

"Taiwan belongs to China, and the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affairs which brook no external interference," Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Thursday.

He told a daily news briefing that the biggest challenge to peace in the Taiwan Strait are the separatist activities of "Taiwan independence" forces as well as the interference and sabotage of external forces.

"What the U.S. should do is to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, honor the commitment of not supporting 'Taiwan independence'," Guo said.

The U.S. should stop condoning the separatist forces of "Taiwan independence" and stop interfering in China's internal affairs on the Taiwan question, he added.

Guo emphasized that China's development has a clear historical logic and strong endogenous driving force and the nation's goal is aboveboard, which is to make Chinese people live a better life and make greater contributions to the world.

He reiterated that China will always view and handle bilateral ties in accordance with the three principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.

"Meanwhile, it will resolutely defend its sovereignty, security and development interests," he added.