On Monday, Chinese leader Xi Jinping delivered an uncommonly frank criticism of U.S. policy, holding a Washington-led effort to suppress China responsible for the recent obstacles faced by his country.

“Western countries—led by the U.S.—have implemented all-round containment, encirclement and suppression against us, bringing unprecedentedly severe challenges to our country’s development,” Xi was quoted by state media as saying on Monday, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.

Xi’s remarks represented a remarkable deviation for a leader who has typically avoided openly censuring the U.S. in public statements, despite his ten-year leadership having displayed a bleak outlook on the bilateral relationship.

As investors level accusations against Xi’s policies, including an emphasis on national security, damaging China’s economy, the allegation of U.S. hindrance of China’s development over the past five years arises, the Wall Street Journal reported.

According to an official Xinhua News Agency’s publication in Chinese language, the remarks were delivered during an annual legislative session in Beijing to members of China’s premier political advisory body.

Written by staff