Bangkok, March 19 -- The United States has no right to interfere with the cooperation between China and Thailand as the two sovereign nations continue to crack down on human smuggling and other cross-border crimes, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday.

She added that such cooperation is in line with the domestic laws of both countries as well as international law and common practices.

The remark came in response to moves by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who announced on Friday sanctions that include visa restrictions for Thai government officials involved in the deportation cooperation.

Noting the 40 Chinese nationals, under "wrong influence", illegally crossed the border and ended up stranded in Thailand,...