China-US tension: spat escalates after Blinken calls for UN support of Taiwan

Observers say secretary of state’s comments are a sign of the US upgrading its support for Taiwan while not yet signalling a major policy change

Blinken says letting Taipei take part in international bodies is consistent with US one-China policy, academic argues that policy is becoming an ‘empty shell’

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On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Taiwan had become a democratic success story and its support for transparency, human rights and the rule of law aligned with the values of the UN. Photo: AFP

Published: 3:30pm, 27 Oct 2021Updated: 9:33pm, 27 Oct 2021

The row between China and the United States over Taiwan is escalating, with the top US diplomat calling for UN member states to support the island taking part in international bodies.

Beijing protested to Washington over the remarks by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, saying they would lead to a big disruption in China-US relations.

“The US has continued to make mistakes in words and deeds on the Taiwan issue, and China has made a firm and necessary response. If the US continues to play the ‘Taiwan card’, it will inevitably cause a huge disruptive effect on Sino-US relations,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Wednesday.

Observers said Blinken’s remarks were a sign of the US upgrading its support for Taiwan while not yet signalling any major policy change.

In a statement on Tuesday, Blinken said Taiwan had become a democratic success story and its support for transparency, human rights and the rule of law aligned with the values of the United Nations.