China hits back after Pompeo takes aim at Belt and Road Initiative
CGTN
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US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Britain's Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt react during a joint news conference at the Foreign Office in central London, Britain, May 8, 2019. (Photo: Agencies)

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang has urged the United States to stop spreading rumors about China's Belt and Road Initiative after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned the project would jeopardize national sovereignty.  

During his visit to London on Wednesday, Pompeo told Prime Minister Theresa May's government that the UK should stay wary of the Belt and Road Initiative as it would harm the UK's sovereignty.

While the US has repeated told its European allies not to take part in the China-proposed project, UK Chancellor Philip Hammond led a delegation to the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in Beijing last month, seeking to secure contracts for British companies.

Geng said Pompeo's remarks were totally "irresponsible." The Belt and Road Initiative has gained wide support from international society, as 150 countries and 92 international organizations had participated in the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, he told reporters at a regular briefing on Thursday.

Among those 6,000 representatives taking part in the forum, over 50 of them are from the US, Geng noted. 

China is tired of hearing such rumors, and Beijing will only continue to push for the proposal, Geng said, adding that the US should not overestimate its ability to spreading rumors and not underestimate other countries' judgments.