Chinese FM urges US to stop using other countries as pretext for "personal gains"

The United States should not use other countries as a pretext for the “pursuit of its own selfish interests in the situation relating to Greenland.”

Such is the Chinese position on the recent statements that came out of Washington on the Danish semi-autonomous territory, according to the Russian state agency TASS, citing a written response it had received from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The comment was prompted by statements from US President Donald Trump about his intention to acquire the island in order to curb the influence of China and Russia in the Arctic.

“The rights and freedoms of all countries to conduct activities in the Arctic in accordance with the law must be fully respected. The United States, in seeking personal gain, should not use other countries as a pretext [for its actions],” the letter to the Russian outlet reads.

The diplomatic body noted that the Arctic affects the shared interests of the entire international community, and that Beijing’s activities in the region are “aimed at promoting peace, stability, and sustainable development.”

“International law, based on the goals and principles of the UN Charter, serves as the foundation of the current international order and must be strictly observed,” the ministry emphasised in its written statement.

By Nazrin Sadigova