CCTV News: Recently, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs answered reporters' questions about Rubio's remarks about China during his visit to Latin American countries.

Q: From February 1 to 6, during his visit to Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Dominican, U.S. Secretary of State Rubio made remarks about China-Latin America cooperation, the Panama Canal, the joint construction of the "Belt and Road", 5G and cybersecurity, and the one-China principle, and declared "confronting the influence of the Chinese Communist Party in the Western Hemisphere". What is China's comment?

A: The false remarks of the US side are full of Cold War thinking and ideological prejudice, making groundless accusations against China, deliberately provoking China's relations with relevant Latin American countries, interfering in China's internal affairs, and damaging China's legitimate rights and interests. China has made solemn representations to the US.

China has always adhered to the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, openness and inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation, and has developed friendly and cooperative relations with Latin American countries. There is only true love between China and Latin America that supports each other and works together, and there is no geopolitical calculation of zero-sum games and winner-takes all. China-Latin America pragmatic cooperation does not attach any conditions, is not targeted at third parties, it meets the needs of Latin America, reflects mutual benefit and win-win results, and brings a tangible sense of gain and happiness to the relevant countries and peoples. The US side has cited the normal cooperation between Latin American countries and third countries and lacked basic respect for Latin American countries. The general trend of China and Latin America moving towards each other and strengthening cooperation is irreversible.

China supports Panama's sovereignty over the canal and is committed to maintaining the canal's status as a permanently neutral international waterway. China has never participated in canal management and operation, and has never interfered in canal affairs. The so-called China's control of canals is a lie. Who is maintaining the neutrality and prosperity of the canal, and who is constantly threatening to "take back" the canal, justice is in the hearts of the people.

The "Belt and Road" is an economic cooperation initiative. Since its proposal in 2013, the scope of cooperation has been continuously expanded, the scope of cooperation has been expanding, and the results of cooperation have continued to benefit people of all countries. It has become the most popular international public product and the largest international cooperation platform in the world today. The "Belt and Road" cooperation has benefited the people of more than 150 countries and has effectively promoted the common development of the vast number of developing countries. The US attack and interference with related cooperation once again exposed the hegemony. China firmly opposes the US smear and undermine the "Belt and Road" cooperation.

China has always been committed to maintaining network security and has carried out cooperation with all parties in related fields based on the principle of mutual benefit and win-win results. Chinese companies are widely favored for their advanced 5G technology and safe and efficient services. Smearing Chinese companies and suppressing Chinese technology will not hinder China's development and progress, stop China's cooperation with other countries, and will only make itself miss opportunities.

There is only one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and the Government of the People's Republic of China is the only legal government representing the entire China. The fact that 183 countries around the world have established diplomatic relations with China fully prove that adhering to the one-China principle is international justice, people's will, and general trend. The Taiwan issue is purely China's internal affairs and does not allow any external interference.

The US interferes with normal exchanges and cooperation between China and Latin America and will eventually be futile. China will firmly safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests.