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Beijing warns it will make ‘necessary response’ to US diplomat’s Taiwan visit
- Foreign ministry calls trip by undersecretary of state Keith Krach provocative and says it encourages ‘separatist forces on the island’
- Two PLA warplanes were warned off after entering air defence zone ahead of State Department official’s arrival
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Beijing has reacted furiously to the US sending a senior diplomat to visit self-ruled Taiwan, which it sees as its territory, warning it will make a “necessary response”.
US undersecretary of state Keith Krach arrived in Taipei on Thursday afternoon and is the most senior State Department official to visit the island in 41 years. Beijing said the visit violated the US one-China policy and the “three communiques” that form the basis of US-China ties.
Adding to Beijing’s anger was a meeting the previous day between the US ambassador to the United Nations and Taiwan’s top envoy in New York.
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Accompanied by Robert Destro, assistant secretary of state, and a small group of other officials, Krach arrived at Taipei’s military airport on a civilian plane rather than a US government aircraft as Alex Azar did a month ago. The visit by Azar, the health and human services secretary, also prompted a strong protest from Beijing.
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US Health Secretary Alex Azar pays tribute to late Taiwan leader Lee Teng-hui
US Health Secretary Alex Azar pays tribute to late Taiwan leader Lee Teng-hui
Krach, the undersecretary for economic growth, energy and the environment, will attend a memorial service for former Taiwanese president Lee Teng-hui – known as the island’s “father of democracy” – on Saturday. He is also expected to meet President Tsai Ing-wen, Premier Su Tseng-chang and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu on Friday, according to the island’s foreign ministry.
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