Beijing Says Taiwan Politics Don't Change 'fact' There Is 'one China'
Muhammad Irfan Published May 20, 2024 | 03:50 PM
Beijing, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th May, 2024) Beijing's top diplomat Monday said that Taiwan's internal politics did not change the "fact" it was part of China, calling efforts towards the island's independence "dangerous" after it swore in new President Lai Ching-te.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has long threatened to use force to bring the island under its control. It has described Lai as a "dangerous separatist" for his past comments on Taiwan's independence -- rhetoric that he has moderated in recent years.
Speaking in Astana, Kazakhstan, at a meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), foreign ministers, China's top diplomat Wang Yi warned "Taiwan independence efforts" represented "the most serious challenge to the international order". They were, he said, "the most dangerous change to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, and the most significant disruption of peace in the Taiwan Strait", according to a readout of his comments from the Chinese foreign ministry. "There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is part of China," he said.
"This is a historical and legal fact. No matter how the situation in Taiwan changes, it cannot change this," Wang added. It is a "historical inevitability", he said, "that China will eventually be reunified".
As Lai took office, Chinese state media reported Beijing had imposed sanctions on three US defence companies over their sales of weapons to Taipei.
Though the United States formally recognises Beijing, it is Taipei's main partner and supplier of arms.
Asked about Lai's inauguration Monday, foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin accused "some politicians in a small number of countries" of engaging in "political manipulation... on the Taiwan issue, severely interfering in China's internal politics". "China strongly condemns this, and will take some necessary measures to resolutely protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity," he added.
Chinese social media network Weibo also blocked hashtags referencing the inauguration, preventing them from trending on the platform used by hundreds of millions in China.
In his inauguration speech, Lai directly addressed the threat of war following years of growing pressure from China to bring Taiwan under mainland rule.
Lai said a "glorious era of Taiwan's democracy has arrived", and thanked citizens for "refusing to be swayed by external forces, for resolutely defending democracy".
Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office -- which manages relations with the island -- slammed the speech as sending a "dangerous signal", state news agency Xinhua reported.
Office spokesman Chen Binhua was quoted as saying Lai's remarks "wantonly advocated separatism, incited cross-strait confrontation and sought independence by relying on foreign support and by force".
He went on to accuse Lai of ignoring Taiwan's "mainstream public aspiration... for peace and development".
ll-oho-tjx/smw/
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Govt earmarks Rs 267,952 mln for various ongoing, new schemes of power sector
Science & Technology sector receives allocation of Rs. 7,000 million in PSDP 202 ..
Rs. 25,000 million allocated for PAEC in PSDP 2024-25
BISE staffers sports competitions concluded
Rs. 765 million allocated for National Heritage & Culture Division
Govt earmarks Rs. 7,257.997 million for Aviation Division in PSDP 2024-25
Govt allocates Rs. 9,870.000 million for Interior Ministry in PSDP 2024-25
Increased allocation for SUPARCO reflect country’s commitment to enhance space ..
LHC summons top police officers over harassment to ATC judge
Govt specifies Rs 566,612 mln for various ongoing hydel and new projects of wate ..
Pakistan avoids default due to efforts of PM Shehbaz, team: Malik Abrar
Govt allocates Rs 157593 mln under PSDP for provinces, special areas
More Stories From World
-
Jakob Ingebrigtsen wins 1500m for sixth European gold
3 hours ago -
'Big relief' for India to progress at T20 World Cup, says Rohit
4 hours ago -
Russian nuclear-powered submarine arrives in Cuba
4 hours ago -
Yadav, Arshdeep star as India beat USA to reach T20 World Cup second round
4 hours ago -
Rwanda says UN agency 'lying' over UK deportation plan
4 hours ago -
Prosecutors call for Pogba's brother and others to face trial in kidnap case
4 hours ago
-
Thiago Motta named as new coach of Juventus
5 hours ago -
Alcaraz, Nadal team up to play at Olympics
5 hours ago -
Earliest-ever heatwave in Greece closes Athens Acropolis
5 hours ago -
Kuwait fire kills 49 Indian migrant workers
5 hours ago -
Cricket: USA v India T20 World Cup scores
5 hours ago -
Italy seizes decrepit ship used to lodge G7 police
5 hours ago