loading…
Taiwan Vice President William Lai visited the United States (US) on Saturday. China was outraged by the visit. Photo/REUTERS
BEIJING – Government China angry over the visit of the Vice President (Wapres) Taiwan William Lai to the United States (US) on Saturday last week.
Beijing then made threats, namely preparing retaliatory measures.
In a statement on Sunday, China’s Foreign Ministry reiterated its opposition to any form of diplomatic communication between Washington and Taipei.
Lai, considered a strong contender to win Taiwan’s presidential election in January, arrived in New York late Saturday for a brief stop before heading to Paraguay for the inauguration of the South American nation’s new president.
“Beijing resolutely opposes the visit of Taiwan independence separatists to the US under any name or under any pretext,” China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said through its unnamed spokesman in a release, Monday (14/8/2023).
“Lai is a constant troublemaker and that his arrival in the United States seriously violates the One China principle and seriously undermines China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said.
The ministry added; “China is following developments closely and that firm and strong action will be taken to protect national interests.”
Upon arriving in New York, Lai wrote on X—the platform formerly Twitter—that he was looking forward to meeting friends and attending transit programs.
According to a report by The Guardian, which cited figures familiar with the trip, Lai is expected to meet Taiwanese expatriates at a reception in New York.
