China slams Trump Administration’s ‘Cold War mentality’ in Latin America

China has slammed a “Cold War mentality” by the United States in a key region where they both share critical, economic interests.

China has a hit out at “Cold War mentality” by the United States in Latin America, saying it had complained over comments by Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a visit to the region.

Since winning the US election in November, President Donald Trump has refused to rule out the use of force to seize the Panama Canal, built by Washington over a century ago and later handed over to Panama.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Panama to curb Chinese influence over the Panama Canal, calling its withdrawal from the Belt and Road Initiative a ‘great step forward.’ Picture: Johan Ordonez / AFP

Around 40 per cent of US container traffic passes through the narrow body of water linking the Caribbean Sea with the Pacific Ocean.

Beyond the tolls paid, Washington has appeared chiefly concerned about Chinese investment in the 80-kilometre-long canal, which handles five per cent of global maritime trade.

The latest controversy over the Panama Canal comes at the end of Rubio’s week-long visit to Central America, his first as the US top diplomat.

President Donald Trump has refused to rule out using force to seize the Panama Canal, reigniting tensions over U.S. control of the key maritime route. Picture: Ting Shen / AFP

He had threatened action against Panama unless it made immediate changes to reduce Chinese influence on the canal.

Beijing on Friday said Rubio’s remarks “unjustly accuse China” and “deliberately sow discord between China and relevant Latin American countries”.

China has “lodged a solemn representation with the US side”, a spokesperson added.

Chinese President Xi Jinping sees the Belt and Road Initiative as vital for expanding China’s global influence, despite US criticism of the project. Picture: AFP

The country’s President, Jose Raul Mulino, confirmed earlier this week that Panama had pulled out of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) infrastructure program.

Rubio hailed that pledge as a “great step forward” for bilateral relations.

In response, Beijing said it “firmly opposes the US using pressure and coercion to smear and undermine Belt and Road cooperation”.

The U.S. remains wary of growing Chinese investment in the Panama Canal, a critical trade artery handling five percent of global maritime commerce. Picture: Martin Bernetti / AFP)

“Its achievements have benefited people in countries such as Panama,” foreign ministry spokesman Lin told a briefing on Friday.

The BRI is a massive infrastructure project that is central to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s bid to expand his country’s clout overseas.

Western critics accuse China of using the BRI to enmesh developing nations in unsustainable debt to exert diplomatic leverage over them or even seize their assets.

Beijing on Friday insisted that it “supports Panama’s sovereignty over the canal”.

“The US side’s attacks and interference in relevant cooperation once again expose its hegemonic nature,” the foreign ministry said.