China says has no intent to play 'Game of Thrones' but warns on sovereignty

China's State Councilor and Special Representative Wang Yi speaks during the 2019 United Nations Climate Action Summit at U.N. headquarters in New York City, New York, U.S., September 23, 2019. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

NEW YORK (Reuters) - China's top diplomat hit back at U.S. criticism of its trade and development model on Tuesday, saying Beijing had no intention to "play the Game of Thrones on the world stage" but warned Washington to respect its sovereignty, including in Hong Kong.

Wang Yi, China's foreign minister and state councillor, said Beijing would not bow to threats, including on trade, though he said he hoped a round of high-level trade talks next month would produce positive results.