China hits back at Trump’s Greenland remarks

China urged the United States not to use other countries as an excuse to pursue its own interests after US President Donald Trump said the US should own Greenland to prevent Russia or China from invading it in the future.

“The Arctic concerns the general interests of the international community,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Mao Ning said at a press conference on Monday.

He said China’s activities in the Arctic are aimed at promoting peace, stability and sustainable development in the region.

Mao also called for respect for the rights and freedoms of all nations to conduct lawful activities in the Arctic.