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Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Monday that the United States has no authority to interfere in the cooperation between China and Thailand to combat cross-border crimes, which aligns with their domestic laws, international norms, and international practices.
Her remarks came as the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Friday sanctions, including visa restrictions, on Thai officials involved in the repatriation cooperation with China.
Beijing strongly condemns any malicious defamation and illegal sanctions against China and Thailand, opposes the US' manipulation of Xinjiang-related issues under the guise of human rights and disruption of normal law enforcement cooperation between China and relevant countries, Mao told a daily news briefing.
Those 40 Chinese citizens were misled into illegally leaving China and subsequently detained in Thailand for a period of 10 years, she said, adding that the Chinese government has the responsibility to protect its citizens, assist them in reuniting with their families, and reintegrate them into normal life.
She expressed that the US' politicization of this issue in nature is a typical example of double standards and suppression of dissent.
China will continue to enhance communication and coordination with relevant countries on the basis of mutual respect and equal consultation, she added.
