China warns Argentina severing ties would be 'serious mistake' after South American country elects right-wing president

President of Argentina Alberto Fernandez and president-elect Javier Milei pose during a meeting in Olivos, Buenos Aires, yesterday. Photo: via Getty Images

Ryan Woo and Nicolas Misculin

China said yesterday it would be a “serious mistake” if Argentina were to cut ties, after the weekend presidential election victory in the South American country of a right-wing libertarian who has said he will not deal with communists.

Argentinian president-elect Javier Milei has criticised China as well as Brazil, which are among his country’s most important trading partners. A few months ago, Mr Milei even likened the Chinese government to an “assassin” and said the people of China were “not free”.