BEIJING- China has denounced as disrespectful the latest US warning toLatin American countries about excessive reliance on economic ties withBeijing, saying economic partnership in the region is “based on commoninterests and mutual needs.”
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying made the comments in a statementon Friday, responding to earlier remarks by US Secretary of State RexTillerson who said Beijing was establishing “a foothold in Latin America”and “using economic statecraft to pull the region into its orbit.”
“What the United States said is entirely against the truth and displayeddisrespect to the vast number of Latin American countries,” the statementsaid, adding that cooperation between China and Latin American countrieswas based on equality, reciprocity, openness and inclusiveness.
“China is a major international buyer of Latin American bulk commodities,and imports more and more agricultural and high value-added products fromthe region,” Hua said.
The official also stressed that his country’s investment in and financialcooperation with Latin American countries were in full accordance withcommercial rules and local laws and regulations.
“The development of China-Latin America ties does not target or reject anythird party, nor does it affect the interests of third parties in LatinAmerica,” he said, expressing hope that relevant countries abandon theoutdated concept of zero-sum game and look at the development ofChina-Latin America relations in an open and inclusive manner.
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Tillerson’s remarkslink>camethis week ahead of his visit to the five Latin American countries ofMexico, Argentina, Peru, Colombia and Jamaica.
The top US diplomat pointed to China, the European Union and Russia andwarned Latin American states that the region does not need another imperialpower.
Tillerson also slammed Russian arms sales to certain governments in theregion, accusing Moscow of helping what he called anti-democratic regimes.
The US is increasingly alarmed as the three major players are beginning togain a foothold in Latin America, which used to be a major US backyard fordecades.