Beijing has reacted to the summit meeting between the USA and Japan with predictable indignation, accusing them of a „smear campaign.“ Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said in Beijing on Thursday that the two countries should „not target or jeopardize the interests of other countries, or undermine peace and stability in the region.“ Mao also criticized US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for a joint statement that said China’s „accelerating build-up of its nuclear arsenal without transparency nor meaningful dialogue poses a concern to global and regional stability.“ Mao said these statements had nothing to do with facts and were malicious.