President of Timor-Leste Jose Ramos-Horta on Sunday said some countries see China's development as a threat to the region and the world, adding such a "tunnel vision" is narrow-minded and unconvincing.
Ramos-Horta made the remarks at the 20th Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's annual defense and security forum, held in Singapore, adding that China's influence spreads across the globe and its interests, wealth, people's well-being and security are intertwined with all countries in the world.
From the national defense strategy released by the Biden administration to the indictment of Chinese law enforcement officers and other government officials, the U.S. has been hyping up the so-called "China threat" for years.
"The U.S. and the European countries should think about why so many countries in the world are increasingly turning to cooperate with China," he said.
Sharing details of a conversation with a Somali diplomat in the 1990s, Ramos-Horta said the diplomat pointed out that Western countries have repeatedly provoked human rights issues and accused developing countries but refused to provide them with help.
China is a real major power and a true friend to developing countries, he added.