'Pompeo has Lost His Mind': Chinese Ambassador to Chile

The Chinese Ambassador to Chile, Xu Bu, blasted U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo over recent accusations that Chinese investments are “corrosive, giving life to corruption, and eroding good governance."

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Xu took offense to these allegations from the U.S. Secretary of State, telling the La Tercera newspaper that "Pompeo has lost his mind and gone too far.”

“Such accusations are absurd,” the Ambassador said. "The economic and trade cooperation between China and Chile has brought tangible benefits to the development of the Chilean economy."

"The United States has not made substantial contributions to the economic development of Latin American countries but accuses China of its economic and trade cooperation with Latin America and its investment in Latin America. Mr. Pompeo is a hypocrite,” he continued, pointing out that China invested US$6 billion more than the U.S. in Chile and they exceeded their trade with the South American nation by US$42 billion. 

Xu then referenced U.S. history and its military interventions and sanctions in several Latin American nations. 

"Pompeo affirms that the U.S. is a reliable partner in Latin America, and I suppose that it underestimates the memory of Latin Americans. Historically, the United States has treated Latin America as its 'backyard,' imposing frequent military interventions or sanctions," he said, adding that "there are numerous examples, including the relentless blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba for more than half a century, President Trump's construction of a separation wall along the border between the United States and Mexico, and the very little assistance provided by the United States to Haiti and Central American countries. Chileans are also well aware that Chile's development achievements are not the result of American charity."

The Chinese Ambassador then touched on the allegations that the tech giant Huawei had allegedly spied for Beijing. 

"Pompeo's accusation that Huawei is under the control of the Chinese government is a malicious lie," Xu said. "The U.S. accusation is merely an attempt to stifle the legitimate operation of China's high-tech enterprises under the guise of security."

Xu discussed the situation in Venezuela and reaffirmed China's stance on not intervening in the country's domestic affairs. 

The Chinese Ambassador said that it is up to the Venezuelan people to decide their future and not the United States. 

“If the United States really cares about democracy and human rights in Latin America, it should immediately stop sanctions against other countries and take measures to promote economic development in Latin America, not just empty promises,” Xu stated, adding that "Pompeo said the United States would use all means, including military intervention, to solve Venezuela's problem. On this point, he tried to hide his differences with other Latin American countries, such as Chile. The era when the United States acted as the world's police and judges has passed, and Pompeo should get rid of hegemonism and cold-war thinking."