Beijing hits out over Washington’s plan to send unofficial delegation to Taiwan after vote
- Foreign ministry says China urged US to stop interfering in election and stop sending ‘wrong signals’ to Taiwanese independence forces
- A senior US official on Wednesday said Beijing ‘will be the provocateur’ if it responds to planned visit with military pressure or coercion
Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters on Thursday that Beijing had expressed “strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition” to what she called “irresponsible remarks” made by US officials.
“China urged the US to … honour in practical terms the commitment made by the US leaders, and stop interfering in the local elections in Taiwan in whatever way, and stop sending wrong signals to Taiwan independence separatist forces,” Mao said.
“China will take resolute and vigorous measures to safeguard its national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.”
“Beijing will be the provocateur should it choose to respond with additional military pressure or coercion,” the official told reporters in Washington. “It is no secret, I think, that Beijing has views on the outcome of the elections and is trying to shape and coerce in various different ways.”
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