RESPONDING to the newly released U.S. national security strategy, spokesman of the Chinese Embassy in Washington on Monday said China will always remain committed to world peace, global development and international order.

Earlier on Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the national security strategy, which labeled China and Russia as Washington’s “competitors” and “rival powers” seeking to undermine U.S. national interests on all fronts.

The Chinese spokesperson said peace and development are the theme of the present times and the common aspirations of all. Any effort against this would be inappropriate and end up being discarded by the times.

Also, any attempt to put the national interests of some countries above others’ and the international community’s interests reflects self-centeredness that would lead to nowhere but self-isolation, the Chinese official added.

The fundamentals of China’s development lie in people’s wellbeing, rejuvenation of the country, and global peace and prosperity.

How China, the world’s largest developing country, and the United States, the world’s largest developed country, see each other and define their bilateral relations is relevant to the welfare of the two peoples and the international community, the spokesperson said.

The U.S. effort to regard China as a rival, contradicting its previous claim to develop a partnership with China, goes against the interdependent nature of China-U.S. ties as well as the two countries’ efforts to cooperate in bilateral and international affairs.

For Beijing and Washington, cooperation leads to win-win outcomes whereas confrontation results in mutual losses, the spokesperson said, adding that the United State would be better advised to get accustomed to China’s development and accept it.

The official suggested it is high time that the United States abandoned its outdated zero-sum mentality and worked with China on a common goal of prosperity and progress for all.

Trump on Monday announced the U.S. national security strategy, the first of its kind since he took office in January and the 17th since the former Reagan administration began to submit the report to the Congress in 1987.

The report articulates the worldwide interests, goals and objectives the United States sees as important to its security.

The report refers to China and Russia as “revisionist powers,” listing them as “competitors” seeking to alter the status quo that favors the United States.

Both are regarded as rival powers that are eroding U.S. security and prosperity, and will eventually overthrow the Washington-defined global order in all aspects.(Xinhua)