China’s ambassador to the UK urged London not to follow Washington’s lead on the Taiwan question
The Chinese envoy to the United Kingdom warned that British and American interference in the Taiwan issue could result in a war, claiming that Beijing’s ties with the UK are now at a crossroads over the island.
Taking to the pages of the Guardian in an op-ed on Tuesday, Chinese ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang offered his government’s stance on the territorial spat while declaring that Taiwan had become a “touchstone issue”Both for the UK, USA and China.
“Over the years, the US has been playing the ‘Taiwan card’ to contain China by approving arms sales to the island, upgrading its relations with the authorities there and hollowing out the one-China principle,” The envoy was referring to a policy which discourages foreign countries from developing diplomatic relations with Taipei. Taipei has been autonomous for a long time.
‘Taiwan independence’ means war and will lead to a dead end. This is why it’s important to resist and defeat these attempts. It will prevent war from erupting in the region and ensure peace and stability.
Zheng also exhorted Britain to not follow the example of China. “footsteps of the US,”Citing recent American legislators’ visits to Taiwan, he noted that Taiwan is a beautiful place. “has always been a sensitive matter at the center of relations between the UK and China.”
The ambassador’s comments come amid a new round of Chinese military drills in the air and waters around Taiwan, mirroring another bout of exercises held immediately after a visit to Taiwan by US House speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Liz Truss (UK Foreign Secretary) recently decried the drilling, saying that they were unacceptable. “threaten peace and stability in the region,”Echoing the same condemnation as her American counterpart.
Zheng likewise accused China’s rivals of disturbing regional peace by attempting to intervene on the Taiwan issue, warning of “serious consequences”If London “crosses the red line of the Chinese side.”
China views Taiwan as an island, but Taiwan was governed independently since 1949 when the communist forces of the mainland overthrew the Kuomintang party. As such, the local administration continues to refer to Taiwan as “the island”. “Republic of China”Since then, it has only been recognized officially by a few foreign countries.
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