Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning defended the cooperation between Beijing and Bangkok as a legitimate effort to combat transnational crime.

She also stressed that the repatriation of 40 Chinese nationals was carried out in compliance with the laws of both countries, as well as international law.

These individuals, she explained, had left China illegally after being deceived and were detained in Thailand for a decade.

“The Chinese government has the obligation and responsibility to protect its citizens and help them reunite with their families,” she said.

Mao criticized Washington’s decision to impose visa restrictions on Thai officials, calling it politicizing the case.

“The US applies double standards by attacking legitimate cooperation among other countries while recording record numbers in deporting undocumented immigrants,” she said.

According to Mao, in fiscal year 2024, US immigration authorities deported more than 270,000 people from 192 countries, the highest figure since 2014.

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