Washington must pay the price for the US House Speaker’s deliberately provocative visit to Taiwan, Beijing is adamant, warning the United States against going down the dangerous path of antagonizing China.
On Tuesday night, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng summoned US Ambassador Nicholas Burns to lodge stern representations over Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, calling the move extremely egregious in nature and stressing that China will not sit idly by, noting that the consequences shall be extremely serious.
Noting China’s relentless determination to defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity no force or individual should underestimate, Xie stressed that Beijing would take necessary and resolute countermeasures and added that Taiwan will eventually return to the embrace of China.
Although Taiwan has been self-governed since 1949, Beijing considers the island an integral part of its territory, repeatedly warning that the One China principle is a red line that no country is allowed to cross.
Beijing announced a series of military exercises and live-fire drills in six maritime areas and Chinese-controlled airspace around Taiwan after Pelosi touched down in Taipei late on Tuesday as part of her tour of the Asian region.
Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian warned that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army is on high alert and will launch a series of targeted military operations to resolutely thwart external interference and Taiwan independence separatist attempts.
He stressed that Washington should stop playing the Taiwan card to contain China in any form and stop interfering in Beijing’s internal affairs.
Ambassadors Burns gave no comment on the diplomatic rebuke.
Pelosi – the third most senior official in the US government – on the other hand, issued a brief statement on Twitter after landing in Taipei, which was not on her official itinerary ahead of the tour, claiming her visit honors the US unwavering commitment to Taiwan.
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