ISTANBUL

China on Wednesday reiterated its opposition to “bullying” in international relations, responding to the US renaming of the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.”

Beijing “has taken note of the relevant reports and the reactions from relevant countries,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told reporters in Beijing when asked about the Trump administration’s move.

“In international relations, opposing hegemony and bullying is a consistent stance of the Chinese side,” Guo added.

The name change was announced on Jan. 20, when Donald Trump, inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States, signed an executive order directing the secretary of the interior to “take all appropriate actions” to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.”

Trump further declared Feb. 9 as “Gulf of America Day” in a proclamation signed on Sunday, during his flight aboard Air Force One to New Orleans, Louisiana, for the Super Bowl.

“I call upon public officials and all the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities,” Trump stated in his proclamation.