On Wednesday, China’s Foreign Ministry criticized the US State Department’s assertion that the Western Hemisphere belongs to the US and that interference from foreign powers, specifically China, will not be tolerated.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed this sentiment when he stated that “Our Hemisphere” was a response to the recent capture of Venezuela’s leader, Nicolás Maduro, by US forces during a surprise operation.
Rubio emphasized in an interview that the US will not allow adversaries to use the Western Hemisphere as a base of operations.
On Monday, the State Department humorously highlighted Rubio’s comments on social media.
Following the upheaval in Venezuela, President Donald Trump is viewed as revitalizing the Monroe Doctrine, which he has renamed the “Don Roe Doctrine.”
The Monroe Doctrine, originally established by President James Monroe in 1823, aimed to prevent European powers from exerting their influence in the Americas, especially in South America.
While recent administrations seemed to overlook the potential dangers of allowing hostile nations to extend their influence nearby, Trump directly addressed this with Maduro just before the new year.
China has heavily invested in Venezuela’s struggling oil sector and is concerned about the implications of Maduro’s legal troubles in the US. There are fears that Trump might push China out of influence in other Latin American nations.
In response to the State Department’s actions, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning remarked that creating spheres of influence does not ensure safety and does nothing to promote global peace, emphasizing the need for cooperative security.
Mao’s comments might have raised eyebrows, especially considering Taiwan’s recent economic growth paired with the looming threat of military rehearsals by the Chinese navy against the island.
Moreover, China reacted strongly to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s statement connecting Taiwan’s potential invasion to a national security threat for Japan, which led to heightened tensions between the two nations.
Filipino fishermen have long recognized that China asserts control over certain areas, including fishing grounds historically used by them. Since 2016, China’s aggressive claims have resulted in increased tensions, especially after an international ruling dismissed their extensive territorial claims.
