China slams US meddling on its international flights

China said on Monday that it opposes any possible interference or restrictions on Chinese airlines by the United States. The comment comes after the U.S. Transportation Department accused China of blocking the resumption of China flights of U.S. airlines and ordered Chinese airlines to file flight schedules with the U.S. government.

China's foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said that China's restrictions on the arrival of flights from the U.S. are necessary and fair.

In response to the decision of the U.S. Commerce Department to sanction nine Chinese companies and institutions for being involved in China's repression against Uighurs in Xinjiang, Zhao repeated China's position that Xinjiang affairs are purely China's internal affairs and no foreign interference is allowed.

As to the remarks of the U.S. national security adviser Robert O'Brien that the U.S. government will likely impose economic sanctions on Hong Kong and China if Beijing moves ahead with the proposed national security law for Hong Kong, Zhao said the Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs and the US has no right to "finger-point or interfere".

On criticism by Australian Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton on an agreement between China and the state of Victoria on the Belt and Road Initiative, Zhao said the accusations "hold no water".

(Photo Credit: AP)