China accuses US ambassador to Mexico of defamation

China's embassy in Mexico called remarks by US ambassador Ronald Johnson "pure invention and malicious slander."

Johnson said at an investor event on Wednesday that a chaotic, insecure Mexico would suit Beijing, and questioned the sincerity of Chinese companies operating there.

The embassy said Washington is undermining Mexico's right to choose its own partners, and pointed to illegal US guns and drug money fuelling violence in Mexico.

Shenzhen, China

President Claudia Sheinbaum is due in Shenzhen for the APEC forum, after Mexico put tariffs on more than 1,400 mostly Asian products this year.