Beijing delivers double warning to US on Taiwan Strait tensions
- In separate talks, senior Chinese diplomatic and military officials issue reminders not to undermine Beijing’s sovereignty
- Foreign Minister Wang Yi rejects comparison with Ukraine while General Li Zuocheng says any infringement will be met with counter-attack
Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the war in Ukraine should not be used to challenge Beijing’s sovereignty over Taiwan, while General Li Zuocheng, chief of the Central Military Commission’s joint staff department, said any infringement of China’s core interests should expect a counter-attack.
“China will not compromise on issues concerning its core interest. If someone wants to provoke China, then they would be met with a firm counter-attack from the Chinese people,” Li said in a video call with his US counterpart Mark Milley on Thursday.
According to a statement from China’s defence ministry, Li called for an end to US military ties with the island and the resulting turbulence in China-US relations and instability in the Taiwan Strait.
A US statement by Colonel Dave Butler, spokesman for the joint chiefs of staff, did not mention Taiwan and described the call as part of the regular communications between Milley and defence chiefs around the world.
“General Milley underscored the importance of the People’s Liberation Army engaging in substantive dialogue on improving crisis communications and reducing strategic risk,” Butler said.