Chinese foreign ministry says economic partnership in the region based on common interests
China accused the United States of disrespecting Latin America after US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned countries in the region against excessive reliance on economic ties with China.
In a speech ahead of a visit to Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Colombia and Jamaica, Tillerson said China was getting a foothold in Latin America, using economic statecraft to pull the region into its orbit.
In a statement released late on Friday responding to Tillerson, China’s foreign ministry said cooperation between China and Latin America was based on common interests and mutual needs.
“What the United States said is entirely against the truth and displayed disrespect to the vast number of Latin American countries,” the ministry said.
Cooperation between China and Latin American countries is based on equality, reciprocity, openness and inclusiveness, it added.
Latin America offers rewards but risks await
“China is a major international buyer of Latin American bulk commodities, and imports more and more agricultural and high-value-added products from the region,” the ministry said.
