China condemns US visa restrictions of central American countries' citizens

BEJING, Oct 21 (KUNA) -- China condemned on Tuesday new restrictions recently imposed by the United States on granting visas to citizens of Central American countries and their relatives who cooperate with the Chinese Communist Party in ways that undermine the rule of law in their home countries.
According to China's official news agency Xinhua, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a press conference, responding to a question about threats made by Washington against businesspeople from Central American countries to deter them from cooperating with Chinese companies that, "The US side is violating the law under the banner of 'rule of law' and is engaging in political repression and economic coercion against countries in the region and their citizens through unilateral sanctions." He added that Washington places domestic law above international law and its international obligations, harming the legitimate rights and interests of other countries. He considered this a violation of the principle of sovereign equality and non-interference in internal affairs, and a threat to the international order.
Guo pointed out that the United States is pointing fingers at the normal relations between China and Central American countries, and that the related accusations are baseless and show a complete lack of respect for those countries.
He stressed that the visa threat being brandished by Washington will not stop the prevailing trend of growing relations between China and Central American nations.
He added that China remains ready to be a good friend and partner to those countries to achieve shared development and build a China-Latin America community with a shared future. (end) slg.onm