China says US visa threats to Central America show ‘lack of basic respect’
Washington has threatened entry curbs on officials and others from the region seen as ‘acting on behalf’ of the Communist Party of China
The State Department said last month that it would “restrict US visas for Central American nationals … intentionally acting on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party” and who “knowingly direct, authorise, fund, provide significant support to, or carry out activities that undermine the rule of law in Central America”.
China’s foreign ministry condemned the accusations as “malicious”.
“The United States, under the guise of the rule of law, engages in illegal practices … It subjects regional countries and individuals to political suppression and economic coercion, placing domestic law above international law and international obligations,” Guo Jiakun, a spokesman for the ministry, told a regular press briefing on Tuesday.
“The accusations are malicious, baseless, and lack basic respect for Central American nations.”
Guo also criticised “the US style of bullying and domineering acts”, and said the restrictions “gravely violate the principles of sovereign equality and non-interference in internal affairs” and “severely disrupt the international order”.