China Not Infringing Upon Other Countries' Interests - Foreign Ministry

China does not interfere in the interior affairs of other countries and does not impair their interests, but will not let other countries pose a threat or harm Beijing's interests, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Thursday.

BEIJING (Sputnik) — The statement came after CIA Director Mike Pompeo told the Washington Free Beacon news source on Wednesday that it is not Russia or Iran, but China that poses the "greatest rivalry" to the United States, due to its strong economy and increasing military capacity.

"We noted the relevant statements, according to their logic, that those who have a stronger economy and military capabilities pose the biggest threat to the world. China always complied with the principles of independent foreign policies and peace, and China's development has been peaceful. China will not infringe upon the interests of other countries and will not interfere with their interior affairs, but we will also not allow other countries to threaten or harm our own interests," Lu said during a briefing.

The diplomat noted that these issues should be addressed as "common efforts in building the future of the entirety of humankind." Lu pointed out that China and the United States have proven to have a broad range of common interests over the past 40 years, and cooperation is the best choice for the two countries.

The diplomat also touched upon Pompeo's accusations that Chinese companies attempt to steal the blueprints and innovations of US companies or work to develop their technologies with the purpose to defeat their US rivals.

When speaking of the commercial cooperation between Chinese and US companies, he noted that US companies would never carry out activities which were not beneficial for them.