Advertisement
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”.
“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 China’s foreign ministry, told a regular press briefing on Tuesday.
He added: “The accusations are malicious, baseless, and lack basic respect for Central American nations.”
Guo also criticised “the US style of bullying and hegemony” and said the restrictions “gravely violate the principles of sovereign equality and non-interference in internal affairs” and “severely disrupt the international order”.
Advertisement
The restrictions – which the State Department said “reaffirm President [Donald] Trump’s commitment to protect America’s economic prosperity and national security interests” – had already prompted protests from Beijing after they were announced.
However, the issue resurfaced last week when Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino said the US embassy in the country had threatened to cancel officials’ visas over their ties to China.
