China condemns U.S. warning on Dominican use of Chinese technology
The Chinese embassy in the Dominican Republic denounced a U.S. State Department warning that Chinese tech poses security risks, calling the remarks defamatory.
Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Juan Pablo Segura posted on social media that Chinese technology companies could be compelled to assist Beijing’s intelligence services, warning of spying, hacking and network shutdowns. The U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo translated the post into Spanish, which the Chinese embassy in the capital called a spread of unfounded and defamatory claims. In its rebuttal, the Chinese mission praised the advanced, affordable and secure nature of its firms, asserting they respect local regulations and create jobs.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian condemned the U.S. remarks as fabrications and “tech-bullying,” urging Washington to stop interfering in sovereign choices. The Dominican Republic’s administration has not issued a comment, though new Foreign Minister Ito Bisonó recently spoke with Secretary of State Marco Rubio about deepening bilateral trade and security ties. Similar diplomatic tensions have arisen previously, such as the Chinese embassy’s protest against U.S. Ambassador Kevin Marino Cabrera’s criticism of Huawei in Panama.
Why it matters
The dispute highlights growing tech rivalry and diplomatic friction between the U.S. and China in Latin America.
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