Stop plundering Syria’s national resources – China tells US

China on Wednesday urged the United States to end its illegal troop deployment in Syria and stop plundering the country’s resources.

Mao Ning, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, made the remarks at a press briefing when asked about a report alleging that the U.S. military in Syria is involved in illegal wheat transportation, using over 10 trucks daily to smuggle Syria’s grains out of the country.

Ning noted that Syria was once a wheat exporter but now approximately 55 per cent of its people are facing food insecurity, for which the United States bears unshirkable responsibility.

Facts have proven that the United States, under the guise of anti-terrorism, has been exploiting resources, the spokesperson added, NAN reports.

“The United States keeps talking about protecting human rights but violates people’s rights to subsistence and life in other countries,” Ning said.

“While it claims to defend democracy, freedom and prosperity, in reality, it is constantly creating humanitarian crises.

“The United States must earnestly respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and immediately cease the deployment of its military troops in Syria.

“It should stop plundering Syria’s national resources, and take concrete actions to make up for the damage caused to the Syrian people.”