Don't interfere in El Salvador's foreign policy: China to US

China urged the US on Friday not to interfere in the foreign policy of El Salvador, following an announcement that Washington was going to review its diplomatic ties with the country over its choice of allies.

White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders had announced that Washington would revise its policy on El Salvador after it broke diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favour of China.

"Only the Salvadorians know which decision is correct and serves their interest, we hope the relevant countries can respect the right sovereign states to develop international relations instead of interfere in their internal affairs," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said on Friday.

El Salvador had established diplomatic relations with China after recognizing the One China principle, Lu was quoted as saying by Efe news.

"It corresponds with the trend of times and history, complies with international law and serves the fundamental interests of the two countries," Lu said, adding that China considered Latin America an important economic ally.

Lu also referred to Republican Senator Cory Gardner's appeal that the US should prepare a legislation to help Taiwan maintain its allies and said that "some American politicians have made some noises upon the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and El Salvador".

El Salvador is the fifth diplomatic ally that Taiwan has lost since the pro-independence Tsai Ying-wen came to power in 2016.

China was able to persuade El Salvador, Panama, Dominican Republic, Burkina Faso, Sao Tome and Principe to abandon diplomatic ties with Taipei in favour of Beijing.

Taiwan is now left with 17 diplomatic allies in the world, of which nine are in Latin America and the Caribbean.

--IANS

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