Chinese FM urges U.S. to renounce arbitrary sanctions

(ECNS) -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday urged the United States to renounce the practice of arbitrary sanctions on Nicaraguan officials after President Daniel Ortega held an inauguration ceremony on Monday.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced economic sanctions on six Nicaraguan officials, including the Defense Minister of Nicaragua for "undermining democracy," and imposed visa restrictions on 116 individuals related to the government.

China firmly supports the government and people of Nicaragua in choosing independently a development path that suits their national realities, said Wang Wenbin, spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, at a press conference. 

"We urge the U.S. side to squarely face its own democratic deficit, renounce the misguided old practice of arbitrary sanctions and pressure, stop engaging in hegemonic and bullying acts, adhere to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, lift unilateral sanctions on Nicaragua, and stop interfering in Nicaragua’s domestic affairs," Wang said.