Update | Beijing says friendly Sino-US ties rely on one-China policy
Washington warned over its Taiwan stance after president-elect hints at making a course change
Beijing warned on Monday that its ties with the United States would be jeopardised if Washington did not stick to its stance that Taiwan is part of China.
Those who seek to damage the “one China” principle and harm China’s core interests are “lifting a rock only to drop it on their feet”, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in comments carried on the Foreign Ministry’s website.
Watch: China warns Trump on Taiwan comments
Speaking separately, ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said China was “extremely concerned” about Trump’s comments that Washington did not necessarily have to stick to the one-China policy.
The remarks signalled that Beijing was seriously dismayed by US president-elect Donald Trump’s moves and rhetoric on Taiwan, observers said.
Later on Monday, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the United States is committed to the “one China” principle and will not use the Taiwan issue to gain leverage in any dealings with Beijing.
“The United States does not view Taiwan and our relationship with Taiwan as a bargaining chip,” he told a daily briefing, calling Taiwan a “close partner.” “And bargaining that away is not something that this administration believes is our best interest.