BEIJING: Beijing on Friday lashed out at a claim by the US intelligence chief that China is the "greatest threat to democracy and freedom worldwide", calling it a "hodgepodge of lies".
The war of words comes as relations between the two superpowers have spiralled to their lowest point in decades and as Washington unveiled travel restrictions for members of the Chinese Communist Party.
US Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe said in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece on Thursday that Chinese spies were using economic pressure to influence or undermine US legislators.
"The People’s Republic of China poses the greatest threat to America today, and the greatest threat to democracy and freedom worldwide since World War II," he wrote. Beijing hit back angrily on Friday. "[Ratcliffe] only continues to repeat lies and rumours to slander and discredit China, and wantonly play up the Chinese threat," said Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying.
"I think this is yet another hodgepodge of lies that the US government has been cooking up lately." Hua also accused the US of being "engaged in a Cold War mindset, advocating major power competition, and wantonly expanding its nuclear weapons arsenal".
Donald Trump, left, and President Joe Biden during the final presidential debate at Belmont University in Nashville,...
The Pentagon building in Arlington County, Virginia. — AFP FileWASHINGTON: The Pentagon on Thursday acknowledged in...
Representational image of flags of France and Japan. — APP FilePARIS: France and Japan agreed on Thursday to start...
Donald Trump. — AFP FileWASHINGTON: Donald Trump said he may not accept the 2024 election results in Wisconsin, a...
Britain's former Chancellor to the Exchequer Rishi Sunak reacts as he answers questions while taking part in a...