China has accused the United States of weaponizing visas following Washington’s announcement of new restrictions targeting Central American nationals and their family members, allegedly cooperating with Beijing.
In a statement on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Beijing had lodged “serious protests” with Washington, accusing the US of once again putting its domestic laws above international norms.
“China has lodged serious protests with the US. The measure is politically motivated and an act of economic coercion. The US is once again putting domestic law above international law and its international obligation. This is yet another example of US bullyism,” Guo said.
He maintained that China’s cooperation with Central American countries is based on equality and mutual benefit, dismissing Washington’s actions as an attempt to undermine those relationships.
“Weaponizing visas will not intimidate those supporting the right cause, nor will it hold back the flourishing ties between China and Central American countries,” he added.
The remarks come amid growing competition between China and the United States for influence in Central America, a region where several countries have in recent years switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to Beijing.
Beijing has been expanding trade, infrastructure, and investment ties with Central American nations under its Belt and Road Initiative, while Washington has warned regional governments against what it calls China’s coercive economic practices.
China’s latest protest underscores the deepening diplomatic tensions between the two powers as they vie for influence in Latin America, with Beijing insisting that its engagement in the region is founded on respect for sovereignty and non-interference
According to the US however, the visa restrictions were imposed on individuals “working with China to undermine the rule of law in Central America.”
The move has drawn sharp criticism from Beijing, which described it as an act of economic coercion and political intimidation.
In the restrictions announced in September, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States is committed to countering China’s corrupt influence in Central America and stop its attempts to subvert rule of law.
“Today, the Department of State is announcing a new visa restriction policy that will allow our nation to restrict US visas for Central American nationals who, while in Central American countries and intentionally acting on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), knowingly direct, authorize, fund, provide significant support to, or carry out activities that undermine the rule of law in Central America.
“We are also taking steps to impose these visa restrictions under this new policy on a number of Central American nationals who have previously engaged in such activities. As a result, these individuals and their immediate family members will be generally ineligible for entry into the United States,” he said.
