Taiwan to blame for any crisis if it tries to change status quo, says Beijing ahead of Tsai Ing-wen’s inauguration

Beijing has warned Taiwan’s incoming government against any attempt to change the cross-strait status quo – saying it would be held to blame were any crisis to erupt.

The warning on Wednesday just days before the inauguration of Democratic Progressive Party chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen as the island’s new president, was Beijing’s way of pressuring Tsai into adhering to the “one China” principle, analysts said.

“I believe everybody is clear who is maintaining the road and who is destroying the bridge,” said Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for the mainland’s Taiwan Affairs Office.

“If there are those who are unclear on this point, or are even encouraging such an act, this is really unwise.

“We must reiterate that whoever causes the stand-off or even crisis between our two sides must shoulder the responsibility for changing the cross-strait status quo,” Ma warned.

Ma’s comments were the latest in a series of attempts by Beijing to pressure Tsai to observe the 1992 consensus.