BEIJING (Dispatches) - China urged the United States on Friday to exercise the “utmost caution” on relations with Taiwan, ahead of a sensitive trip its President Lai Ching-te starts this week to both Hawaii and Guam, as part of a Pacific tour.
China sees the island as part of its own territory, but the U.S.-backed secessionists on it see themselves as independent from the Chinese mainland.
China views the island as an inseparable part of the mainland, repeatedly warming Washington against unwise provocations in this regard.
Mao Ning, a spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry, reiterated comments made by President Xi Jinping to U.S. President Joe Biden at an Asia-Pacific summit in Peru this month, in which he said “separatist acts” were incompatible with peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
“If the United States wants to maintain peace in the Taiwan Straits, it is crucial for it to recognize the independence nature of Lai Ching-te and the Democratic Progressive Party authorities,” she said, referring to the ruling party.
The United States must “handle the Taiwan issue with utmost caution, unequivocally oppose Taiwan independence of Taiwan, and support the peaceful reunification of China”, Mao added at a daily news briefing in the Chinese capital.
China opposes any “scurrying to the United States” of Taiwan’s leaders, in any form, or any U.S. support for separatist activities, she said.
“China’s determination to defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity and oppose interference in its internal affairs by external forces is unwavering.”
China strongly opposes other countries pursuing official and diplomatic ties with Taipei and has consistently warned the U.S. and other states against engaging with the self-proclaimed government on the island.
Chinese Taipei is a key bone of contention between Washington and Beijing in the ongoing power struggle between China and the U.S. for supremacy in the Asia-Pacific region.
China has sovereignty over Taipei. The U.S. recognizes that sovereignty but regularly violates its own stated policy. The island has become a major bone of contention between Beijing and Washington.