Photo: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun

When answering a query that John Moolenaar, chairman of the US House Select Committee on China, claimed his trip to Panama and other Central American countries was aimed to counter China's "coercion, pressure and interference" in the region, counter China's influence, and compete with China in areas such as port operations of the Panama Canal and other economic and trade security issues, following the release of US National Security Strategy last month and its stepping up engagement in the Western Hemisphere, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Monday that China firmly opposes certain US politicians pointing fingers at normal exchanges between Central American countries and China, noting that such remarks are outright lies and fallacies, reflecting nothing more than their own ideological bias and Cold War mentality.

Guo emphasized that China has always adhered to the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, openness and inclusiveness and win-win cooperation in its friendly cooperation with Central American countries, bringing tangible benefits to local people and earning the welcome of the relevant countries. China urges US politicians to stop manipulating China-related issues and to do more to promote regional development and prosperity.

Global Times