US Deputy Secretary of State for Economic Affairs to Visit Taiwan on the 17th... Strong Opposition from China

Second High-Level U.S. Visit Following Health and Human Services Secretary
China Accuses U.S. of Undermining 'One China' Principle

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] The U.S. Deputy Secretary of State visited Taiwan on the 17th, prompting strong protests from the Chinese government.

On the 16th, Taiwanese media including the United Daily News reported that with Keith Krach, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, arriving in Taiwan on the 17th, the 'Economic and Commercial Dialogue' between the U.S. and Taiwan would officially launch.

The United Daily News, citing sources, reported that Deputy Secretary Krach would pay a courtesy call to Su Tseng-chang, Premier of the Executive Yuan, on the afternoon of the 18th.

The United Daily News also reported that Deputy Secretary Krach would exchange views with various Taiwanese ministries on third-party regional investment and energy sectors.

On the 19th, Deputy Secretary Krach is known to attend a memorial service at Tamkang University in northern Tamsui for former President Lee Teng-hui, who passed away at the end of July, as a representative of the U.S. government.

The Chinese authorities have strongly opposed Deputy Secretary Krach's visit to Taiwan, stating that they will never tolerate external interference in Taiwan affairs.

Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said regarding Deputy Secretary Krach's visit to Taiwan, "The Taiwan issue is China's internal affair, and external interference will never be tolerated," adding, "China demands that the U.S. abide by the 'One China' principle and the three joint communiques between China and the U.S. (agreements between the two countries concerning mutual non-interference and reduction of arms sales to Taiwan)."

Spokesperson Ma further urged, "We want the U.S. to immediately halt any form of official exchanges taking place in the Taiwan region."

He also criticized, "The Democratic Progressive Party authorities have stubbornly pursued policies harmful to the health and welfare of the Taiwanese people, such as importing U.S. agricultural and livestock products, without considering the opposition of public opinion," and added, "Now, under the pretext of economic and commercial matters, they are expanding official exchanges with the U.S."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.