The Chinese government urged the United States on Thursday to cease “coercion” toward Latin American countries and respect their right to decide their foreign relations , following press reports of pressure from Washington for nations in the region to reduce their ties with Beijing.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said the U.S. stance “once again demonstrates that policies of pressure and coercion are not supported and are becoming increasingly less viable.”
“ China and Latin America are good friends and equal partners , characterized by openness, inclusiveness, and mutually beneficial cooperation. Our cooperation responds to the will of the people and the common interests of both sides ,” the Chinese diplomat said.
Lin Jian added that Latin America and the Caribbean are not anyone’s ‘backyard’ , and have the right to choose their development path and cooperation partners.
The Asian country’s foreign ministry official called on the U.S. to cease coercing Latin American countries, stop interfering in their internal affairs , and contribute to their development, rather than sowing discord and issuing orders.
US media outlets such as The Economist and The New York Times recently reported that Washington will increase diplomatic, commercial, and military pressure on several Latin American and Caribbean countries in 2025 to contain what it calls China’s “exploitative practices” in the region.
According to these media outlets, US pressure has had a limited effect and, in some cases, has strengthened the rapprochement of Latin American governments with Beijing.
I take it more as a veiled threat of a newly confident player: you are not the only big kid in this backyard, you should think twice before moving around. This is China claiming part of the influence the US has hitherto exerted alone in Latin America.
except this player values their own long game at the expense at the rest of the world
Well, they all do. It’s just a game of music chairs that gets people killed…