China today lashed out at "irresponsible" US accusations that Beijing was destabilising cross-Strait relations after El Salvador cut ties with Taiwan in favour of the Asian giant.
The White House also scolded the Central American country in a statement released yesterday, warning that the decision was made in a "non-transparent fashion" and affects "the economic health and security of the entire Americas region".
Taiwan and China have been engaged for years in a diplomatic tug-of-war in developing countries, with economic support and other aid often used as bargaining chips for diplomatic recognition.
"The United States will continue to oppose China's destabilisation of the cross-Strait relationship and political interference in the Western Hemisphere," the White House said.
"The El Salvadoran government's receptiveness to China's apparent interference in the domestic politics of a Western Hemisphere country is of grave concern to the United States, and will result in a reevaluation of our relationship with El Salvador."