Beijing, Jul 12 : China on Friday asked the US not to allow Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen to “transit” through America in compliance with the “one China” policy.
Tsai, who is on a tour of four Caribbean nations, arrived in New York on Thursday and is expected to spend two days in the city. On her way back, she is expected to stop in Denver.
China, asserts that estranged province of Taiwan is part of the mainland under the “one-China” policy. Beijing hardened its stance over Taiwan ever since Tsai, a firm advocate of Taiwan’s independence from China, came to power in 2016.
The US has said there had been no change in its “one-China” policy, under which Washington officially recognises Beijing and not Taipei.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang also reiterated Beijing’s firm opposition to any country establishing diplomatic and military ties with the island under the “one-China” policy.
“We urge the US side to abide by the ‘one-China’ principle and the stipulations of the three China-US joint communiques, not to allow the Taiwan leader to ‘transit,’ refraining from sending any wrong signal to the ‘Taiwan independence’ force,” Geng said.
China has made clear its position many times and lodged stern representations with the US over the so-called stopovers made by Tsai, Geng said.
He expressed hope that the US could properly handle related issues so as to avoid harming peace and stability in the region.
During the media briefing, Geng also opposed Tsai being referred to by a reporter as President of Taiwan.
“I need to correct you. We said she is the leader of the Taiwan region, she is not a President at all,” he told the reporter who asked the question.
Regarding the US potential arms sale to Taiwan, Geng stressed that China strongly condemns the transaction and urged Washington to stop it immediately as well as end any military dealings with Taipei.
China on July 9 asked the US to cancel any planned arms sale to Taiwan, accusing Washington of interfering in China’s domestic affairs.
Earlier, the Pentagon has notified to the US Congress that it is likely to make USD 2.2 billion arms deal with Taiwan to provide tanks, anti-aircraft missiles and related equipment.
He said that China had already lodged formal protest to the US opposing any sale through diplomatic channels, and urged Washington that to avoid to disrupting stability in the Taiwan Strait, it must “immediately cancel the planned arms sale and stop military relations with Taipei.”
