Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan attend a high-level strategic dialogue in the Alaskan city of Anchorage, the United States, March 18, 2021. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

ANCHORAGE, the United States - China firmly opposes the US escalation of sanctions against China over Hong Kong-related issue, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Thursday.

Wang made the remarks at the start of a two-day high-level strategic dialogue with the United States in the Alaskan city of Anchorage.

It is not a normal way of hosting guests that the United States introduced the sanctions on the eve of China's departure for the dialogue, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said

Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, as well as Wang, are attending the two-day high-level strategic dialogue with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. 

READ MORE: Joint efforts urged in China-US talks 

Wang said the US escalation of sanctions on March 17 is a gross interference in China's internal affairs, which has aroused strong indignation among the Chinese people.

It is not a normal way of hosting guests that the United States introduced the sanctions on the eve of China's departure for the dialogue, Wang said.

If the United States wants to enhance its so-called advantage over China through the act, it is totally miscalculated as this just exposes the inner weakness and powerlessness of America, the Chinese official said.

This practice will not at all affect China's legitimate position, nor will it shake the firm will of the Chinese people to safeguard sovereignty and dignity of the nation.

During the meeting, Yang said Beijing firmly opposes US interference in China's internal affairs and will continue to make firm responses.

Noting that Taiwan, Hong Kong and Xinjiang are all inalienable parts of China, Yang said Beijing firmly opposes US interference in China's internal affairs and will continue to make firm responses.

Yang Jiechi said it is hoped that the US side will change its zero-sum mentality, abandon such wrong practices as "long-arm jurisdiction," does not abuse the concept of national security to interfere with normal trade between the two countries

Yang said China and the United States are both major countries in the world, and share tremendous common interests in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, resuming work and production and tackling climate change.

READ MORE: China's US envoy realistic about prospects for Alaska meeting

He said it is hoped that the US side will change its zero-sum mentality, abandon such wrong practices as "long-arm jurisdiction," does not abuse the concept of national security to interfere with normal trade between the two countries.

China and the United States should develop good relations with all countries in Asia-Pacific and have common friends, said Yang, adding that this is how the world works in the 21st century.

ALSO READ: Yang: China, US should boost communication

The United States is not qualified to talk to China in a condescending manner, and the Chinese people will not accept that, said Yang, adding that it must be based on mutual respect to deal with China, and history will prove that those who seek to strangle China will suffer in the end.