China Opposes US Lawmakers’ Visit to Taiwan Amid Military Tensions

China Opposes US Lawmakers' Visit to Taiwan Amid Military Tensions

Dil Bar Irshad | May 28, 2024 | 04:08 PM IST | Breaking News, Chile, Taiwan, World | Follow on Google News

China Opposes US Lawmakers’ Visit to Taiwan Amid Military Tensions

China Opposes US Lawmakers’ Visit to Taiwan Amid Military Tensions

Key Highlights:

1. China condemns US-Taiwan military contact and arms support.
2. Recent US congressional visit to Taiwan follows China’s large-scale military drills.
3. US lawmakers vow to expedite defensive weapon supplies to Taiwan.

During an ongoing visit by US lawmakers to Taiwan, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning has voiced strong opposition to military contact between the US and Taiwan, as well as efforts to arm the island nation. The visit, which comes shortly after China conducted extensive military drills near Taiwan, has intensified Beijing’s disapproval.

“There is but one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. China firmly opposes military contact between the US and Taiwan and any attempt to arm Taiwan,” Mao Ning stated during a regular press conference on Monday. She urged US Congress members to cease interfering in China’s internal affairs and to stop supporting Taiwan independence forces, warning that such actions undermine China-US relations and cross-Strait peace and stability.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry criticized the US lawmakers’ support for Taiwan’s defense, arguing it violates the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques. “In disregard of China’s strong opposition, relevant members of the US Congress still decided to visit Taiwan, which violates the one-China principle… and sends a severely wrong signal to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces,” Mao Ning said, adding that China has lodged serious protests with the US and will take necessary measures to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The bipartisan congressional visit, led by US Representative Michael McCaul, head of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, occurred days after China executed its largest military drills in over a year, which were seen as a response to the inauguration of Taiwan’s new president, Lai Ching-te. McCaul described the drills as an “intimidation tactic to punish democracy” and pledged to expedite the delivery of defensive weaponry to Taiwan.

“We are moving forward on those weapons systems. I’d like to see them faster, but they are forthcoming,” McCaul stated. The US, while maintaining strong but informal relations with Taiwan, is legally obligated to provide the island with defensive weapons. Despite never having governed Taiwan, China’s Communist Party considers the island part of its territory and has threatened to use force to achieve reunification if necessary.

Source: CNN

Dil Bar Irshad

Dil Bar Irshad is a seasoned journalist, hails from Jammu Kashmir's Doda, covers political, social, business stories, index stories.