US slammed for pressuring Central American nations on Taiwan

Beijing : China's Foreign Affairs Ministry on Monday criticized the US for recalling its top diplomats for consultations from three Central American countries which recently switched their diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China, calling it an "irresponsible action".

On Friday, the US State Department had recalled its chiefs of mission in Panama, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic for evaluating the decision of these countries to break their ties with Taiwan in exchange for better relations with China.

"We demand the relevant country (the US) to properly and prudently handle the Taiwan issue instead of taking irresponsible actions, thus avoiding harming its own image and peace and stability across the Taiwan strait," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang was quoted as saying by Efe news.

"A country has the right to open relations within its sovereignty and this should be respected. Other countries are in no position to make irresponsible remarks," Geng said.

The US move evoked concerns in the three countries, where some sections, especially in the opposition, were worried that their proximity to China could endanger their ties with Washington at a time of spiralling political and trade-related tensions between the US and China.