BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday that Latin American countries are all sovereign and independent countries, and they have every right to independently choose their own cooperation partners.

Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a daily press briefing, in response to recent reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump had claimed China and Russia can only purchase crude oil from Venezuela under U.S. control in a meeting with executives of oil companies.

"No matter how the situation changes, China will continue to deepen pragmatic cooperation and promote common development with Latin American countries, Venezuela included," she added. ■