China on Thursday called on the United States not to “interfere” in the presidential elections in Taiwan, saying it “strongly opposes” relations between Taipei and Washington, which announced sending a delegation to the island after the elections.
Mao Ning said at a regular press conference that the United States should “not interfere in the elections in the Taiwan region, in any way, in order to avoid seriously damaging Sino-US relations.” Things.
She stressed that “China firmly opposes any form of official exchanges between the United States and Taiwan.” “There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inseparable part of China.”
A senior US official announced on Wednesday that the United States, whose relations with China remain very tense, will send an “unofficial delegation” to Taiwan after the presidential elections scheduled for Saturday.
The latter, who requested to remain anonymous, also warned Beijing against any “provocative” action after these crucial elections. The comments were condemned by Beijing on Thursday.
“China expresses its deep dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to the United States' reckless comments on the elections in the Taiwan region,” Mao Ning said.
She continued: “The Taiwan issue lies at the heart of China's fundamental interests and constitutes the first red line that cannot be crossed in Sino-American relations.”
China considers Taiwan one of its provinces, which has not yet been able to reunite with the rest of its territory since the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949.
It says it favors “peaceful” reunification with the island, where its population of about 23 million is governed by a democratic regime. But it never abandoned the use of military force.
China takes a dim view of the increase in contacts in recent years between American and Taiwanese politicians, which it considers a violation of the United States’ commitment not to establish official relations with the island.
