Islam Times - China Blasts US for Disrespecting Latin American Countries

Islam Times - China has accused the US of disrespecting Latin American countries after US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned against excessive reliance on economic ties with China.

“Latin America does not need new imperial powers that seek only to benefit their own people,” Tillerson said on Thursday. He also attacked China’s state-led development model arguing it “is reminiscent of the past,” adding “it doesn’t have to be this hemisphere’s future.”

China’s Foreign Ministry defended its economic ties with the region saying they are based on mutual interest. In a statement the Chinese government blasted the US, describing Tillerson’s comments as going “against the truth,” and charging Washington with displaying “disrespect to the vast number of Latin American countries.”

Both as developing countries, China and the Latin American countries are facing common tasks of development and their win-win cooperation is based on equality, reciprocity, openness and inclusiveness, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying.

"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 spokeswoman said, adding that China's investment in and financial cooperation with Latin American countries are in full accordance with commercial rules and local laws and regulations.

According to Hua, the second ministerial meeting for the China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States Forum held last month passed three outcome documents, which showed a high degree of consensus by Latin American countries on deepening cooperation with China.