China has lodged serious protests to the U.S. side over unfounded accusations against China made by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during his visit to Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Friday.
Rubio, during his visits to Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic from February 1 to 6, made comments concerning China, including on China's cooperation with LAC. He also claimed to "counter the influence of the Chinese Communist Party" in the Western Hemisphere.
The spokesperson said that the groundless comments from the U.S. side, steeped in Cold War mentality and ideological bias, are unfounded accusations against China aimed at sowing discord between China and relevant LAC countries, which interfere in China's internal affairs and undermine China's legitimate and lawful rights and interests.
On China-LAC cooperation, the spokesperson said China is committed to growing friendship and cooperative ties with LAC countries under the principle of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation.
"Between China and LAC countries, there is no zero-sum and the-winner-takes-all geopolitical calculations, only sincere mutual support and cooperation for shared progress," the spokesperson said.
"We never attach any strings to the practical cooperation between China and LAC countries or target any third party," the spokesperson said, adding that the cooperation meets the needs of LAC countries, is mutually beneficial, has delivered tangible results to relevant countries and has made lives better for local people.
The spokesperson noted that the U.S. side points fingers at normal cooperation between LAC countries and a third country, showing no respect for LAC countries.
The overwhelming trend of China and LAC countries working together for stronger cooperation is irreversible, the spokesperson added.
On cybersecurity, the spokesperson noted that China has been all along committed to safeguarding cybersecurity and carrying out cooperation in relevant areas based on the principle of win-win cooperation.