Beijing: China condemned on Tuesday new restrictions recently imposed by the United States on granting visas to citizens of Central American countries and their relatives who cooperate with the Chinese Communist Party in ways that undermine the rule of law in their home countries.
According to Kuwait News Agency, China’s official news agency Xinhua reported that Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun addressed the issue at a press conference. Responding to a question about threats made by Washington against businesspeople from Central American countries to deter them from cooperating with Chinese companies, Guo stated, “The US side is violating the law under the banner of ‘rule of law’ and is engaging in political repression and economic coercion against countries in the region and their citizens through unilateral sanctions.” He criticized Washington for placing domestic law above international law and its international obligations, which he said harms the legitimate rights and interests of other countries. Guo considered this a violation of the principle of sovereign equality and non-interference in internal affairs, and a threat to the international order.
Guo further pointed out that the United States is unjustly criticizing the normal relations between China and Central American countries, and that the related accusations are baseless and show a complete lack of respect for those countries.
He emphasized that the visa threat from Washington will not halt the growing relations between China and Central American nations.
He concluded by stating that China remains ready to be a good friend and partner to those countries to achieve shared development and build a China-Latin America community with a shared future.