Chinese media criticise US ahead of Clinton visit

BEIJING (AFP) - China's state media on Tuesday warned the United States (US) to stop pursuing policies aimed at stemming Beijing's growing political clout as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was due to arrive later in the day.

Mrs Clinton is on a tour of the Asia-Pacific that comes amid rising tensions over territorial disputes involving China and some US allies in the region including Japan and the Philippines.

The official Xinhua news agency criticised Washington for its dealings with China, saying it had taken positions on the sea disputes detrimental to Beijing yet desired access to its markets and credit.

"The US politicians, who preposterously fancy they could do gold-digging in China and rein in China's rise simultaneously, should remember the old saying that no one can have his cake and eat it too," Xinhua said.