Screenshot from Chinese Embassy in Argentina

 
The US would do better to take concrete actions to contribute to the development of Latin American and Caribbean(LAC) countries, rather than sowing discord and stirring up trouble over other countries' friendly cooperation, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Argentina said on Saturday in response to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's provocative claims. 

Bessent's remarks about relations and cooperation between China and Latin America once again exposed the deep-rooted Cold War and confrontation mentality held by some in the US, the spokesperson said. Bessent suggested Argentina's president was "committed to getting China out," according to a Bloomberg report.

For a long time, China has upheld the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, openness and inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation, engaging in practical cooperation across various fields with Latin American and Caribbean countries. 

China-Latin America cooperation aligns with each other's needs, serves the common interests of both sides and has strongly promoted the region's economic and social development, earning genuine welcome from the countries and people across the region, according to the embassy.

In contrast, the spokesperson said that the US has for many years spared no effort in interfering in and exerting control over LAC countries, with its hegemonic and bullying practices plainly evident. 

LAC countries are not anyone's "backyard." China-Latin America cooperation does not target any third party and should not be disrupted by any third party, according to the embassy.

Countries in the region have the right to independently choose their development paths and cooperation partners. Rather than sowing discord and stirring up trouble over other countries' friendly cooperation, the US would do better to take concrete actions to contribute to the development of LAC countries.

Global Times