US trying to restrain China—Xi

(RT) ⸻ Xi Jinping has publicly criticized the US and accused it of leading a Western attempt to "contain" his country. Foreign Minister Qin Gang warned Washington to "hit the brakes" or risk "conflict and confrontation". Xi was meeting with industry and business groups during an annual gathering of an advisory body to the Communist Party and focused on the national economy. Michael Swaine, a senior research fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, told the New York Times that it was the first time the Chinese leader had publicly come out and identified the US as taking such actions. Another senior Chinese official accused Washington of using underhanded tactics. Foreign Minister Qin Gang has compared the US government to an athlete trying to trip their opponent instead of giving their best performance. He warned that if the US does not hit the brakes, it could lead to a disaster that no guardrails can prevent. Washington has accused Beijing of undermining a "rules-based order" with its policies and imposed economic restrictions, including a ban on exporting certain semiconductors. Tensions escalated last month after Washington accused the country of flying a "spy balloon" over American soil.