Donald Trump: China is interfering in 2018 midterms at UN Security Council

Beijing, however, refuted the US president's comments made at the meeting on nuclear proliferation

epa07048406 US President Donald Trump chairs the United Nations Security Council meeting on the sidelines of the General Debate of the General Assembly of the United Nations at United Nations Headquarters in New York, New York, USA, 26 September 2018. The General Debate of the 73rd session began on 25 September 2018.  EPA/JUSTIN LANE
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US President Donald Trump accused China of meddling in the 2018 midterm elections because they did not like the president's economic agenda, an accusation refuted by Beijing.

Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting ostensibly on nuclear proliferation, where the US President was chair, Mr Trump said the Chinese government does not want the Republican party to win the election in November.

"China has been attempting to interfere in our upcoming 2018 election, coming up in November. Against my administration," Mr Trump said, without providing evidence.

"They do not want me or us to win because I am the first president ever to challenge China on trade and we are winning on trade, we are winning at every level. We don't want them to meddle or interfere in our upcoming election," the President said in New York.

China's top diplomat, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, refuted the allegations.

"We did not and will not interfere in any country's domestic affairs. We refuse to accept any unwarranted accusations against China," Mr Wang said.

The US President also used the opportunity, his second official address to the UN in two days, to defend his withdrawal of the 2015 nuclear deal - also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action - which he pulled out of in May. He also criticised Iran and Russia for supporting Syrian President Bashar Al Assad.

"The Syrian regime's butchery is enabled by Russia and Iran," Trump said.

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