China says the United States should stop making "irresponsible comments" over ties between China and Pacific island countries.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Photo: AFP
Instead it said the US should make more concrete efforts to help the island countries' development and regional peace.
A Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Hua Chunying, urged the US to give up its Cold War mindset and zero-sum game mentality and to take a fair view of China's ties with Pacific island countries.
Hua's remarks came after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused China of "attempts to redraw the Pacific in its authoritarian image" on Monday, during a visit to the Federated States of Micronesia.
Mr Pompeo, the first U.S secretary of state to visit Micronesia, said the U.S will strengthen ties with it and two other Pacific island countries, and he announced that it has begun negotiations with the three countries to renew their compacts of free association.
But Hua said Pompeo's words were intended to "smear" China and sow discord between China and Pacific island countries.
She said such attempts will fail because China's ties with the countries "are built on mutual respect and equal treatment".