China was especially angered by the inclusion of Taiwan, over which it claims sovereignty.

Writing on the website of conservative journal National Journal, the two ambassadors to the United States said democracy “can be realised in multiple ways, and no model can fit all countries.”

“No country has the right to judge the world’s vast and varied political landscape by a single yardstick,” the ambassadors added.

The article described communist China as having “an extensive, whole-process socialist democracy (which) reflects the people’s will, suits the country’s realities, and enjoys strong support from the people.”

“It has been proved that the whole-process democracy works in China, and works very well.”

The article did not mention Taiwan.

Without naming the United States, the envoys said that wars and conflicts launched in the name of spreading democracy, “severely undermine regional and international peace, security, and stability.”

“Bombings of Yugoslavia, military intervention in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya, and ‘democratic transformation’ do nothing but harm,” they wrote.

“Countries should focus on running their own affairs well, not condescendingly criticising others.”

They concluded by saying that countries should practise mutual respect and cooperation.

Such cooperation should rely heavily on the United Nations, they wrote, adding, “There should be a more inclusive global governance, not something like ‘might makes right.’”

Among countries invited to the virtual summit are some where democracy appears fragile, has suffered setbacks, or where autocratic trends have emerged.

The invitees include Brazil, India and Pakistan but not Hungary or Nato member Turkey.