Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State, takes part in a press statement with the Chancellor at the Federal Chancellery on November 8 in Berlin. Photo: IC

The Chinese ambassador to South Africa slammed US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's speech during his tour of Africa as being soaked with a Cold war mentality that no one will believe. The ambassador urged Pompeo to abandon his outmoded thinking and learn to peacefully co-exist with other countries.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Ambassador Lin Songtian rebuked Pompeo, who is visiting Africa this week for the first time in his official capacity and who has criticized China's engagement with Africa and China's political system.

It is no surprise that Pompeo would make such a statement, considering his long background in the US intelligence service, but Mr. Pompeo convinces no one as his remarks have no audience, Lin said. 

Lin said that at this crucial time, when Chinese people are united in the fight against COVID-19, Mr. Pompeo should endorse support for China, instead of smearing the Chinese political system. He also said that Chinese people should be the only judge of the Chinese political system.

Lin said capitalism could never have matched China's achievements in fighting the virus, including the building of two specialized hospitals with a capacity of about 2,600 beds in 10 days and the construction of 15 mobile cabin hospitals with a total capacity of more than 10,000 beds.

He asked if the US could match China's achievement in mobilizing all of its 1.4 billion people to follow government instructions to stay at home and quarantine themselves for more than 14 days to curb the spread of the virus inside and beyond China. 

He asked if the US could achieve China's effort to mobilize 19 provinces and municipalities to support cities in Hubei province to fight against the virus, and its effectiveness in getting all people and every Party member to join the virus containment campaign swiftly after they were given the order. 

He asked if the US could manage to help 800 million people shake off poverty within 40 years, like China did, and promised to help bring all 1.4 billion Chinese out of poverty by the end of 2020. 

Lin also criticized the US attempt to ring-fence Huawei, China's tech giant, as a deterrent against the fourth industrial revolution, which also exposes the US' lack of confidence and weak security system. 

He said that Huawei is the bellwether of the world's 5G technology and biggest network equipment supplier worldwide. Huawei and other Chinese companies have helped Africa to build 80 percent of its major network infrastructure and benefited many African people. 

Lin pointed out that the US forced its allies to suspend cooperation with Huawei but failed to provide an alterative option, which deprives Japan, Australia and Europe of the opportunity for joining the fourth industrial revolution and for development. He said he believes those countries will see through the US conspiracy and make the right choice.