The Chinese Foreign Ministry has strongly protested against U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's recent comments targeting China during his visit to Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).
During his trips to Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic from February 1 to 6, Rubio made statements questioning China's role and influence in the Western Hemisphere. He notably claimed to \"counter the influence of the Chinese Communist Party\" in the region.
Responding to these remarks, a spokesperson for the Chinese mainland criticized Rubio's comments as baseless and rooted in Cold War-era thinking. They accused the U.S. official of attempting to create discord between China and LAC nations, thereby interfering in China's internal affairs and undermining its legitimate interests.
China's spokesperson emphasized the country's commitment to fostering strong, mutually beneficial relationships with LAC countries. Highlighting the principles of mutual respect, equality, openness, and win-win cooperation, the spokesperson argued that cooperation with LAC nations is about sincere mutual support and shared progress, devoid of zero-sum or winner-takes-all geopolitical strategies.
The spokesperson also addressed concerns about cybersecurity, affirming China's dedication to safeguarding digital security through cooperative efforts. They praised Chinese companies for their advanced 5G technologies and efficient services, arguing that attempts to discredit Chinese tech would only limit opportunities rather than hinder China's development.
On the sensitive issue of Taiwan, the spokesperson reiterated the one-China principle, stating that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory and that the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. They underscored that 183 countries have established diplomatic ties with China, supporting the one-China stance as historically favored and publicly endorsed.
Concluding the statement, the spokesperson warned that U.S. attempts to disrupt normal exchanges and cooperation between China and LAC countries would lack support and are destined to fail, reinforcing the ongoing trend of strong China-LAC collaboration.
Reference(s):
China slams Marco Rubio's finger-pointing at China and Latin America
cgtn.com
