Chinese King Says "Must Respond to US's Overt Provocations"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Following Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, members of the U.S. Congress from both the Senate and the House of Representatives visited Taiwan, prompting the Chinese government to escalate its criticism and signal a tough response policy.

Wang Yi, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, condemned the visit of five U.S. lawmakers to Taiwan and their meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen as a "blatant provocation" during a virtual meeting of foreign ministers from some Asian and African countries held in Geneva, Switzerland, on the 15th (local time). He emphasized the need for "necessary and justified responses," highlighting "the golden rule of international relations, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the right to prevent interference in internal affairs."

The meeting was attended by representatives from Gambia, Zimbabwe, Iraq, Cameroon, C?te d'Ivoire, Laos, Lesotho, Somalia, Sierra Leone, and Eritrea. According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the meeting, Foreign Minister Wang also spoke about cooperation and development in human rights exchanges with other countries and introduced related achievements to date.

Additionally, Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, protested at a regular briefing, stating that the visit was a "blatant violation of the One-China principle and the three Sino-U.S. joint communiqu?s," and that it "seriously infringes on China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and sends a seriously wrong signal to Taiwan independence separatist forces."

Spokesperson Wang emphasized, "The One-China principle is a universal consensus of the international community and a fundamental norm of international relations, as well as the political foundation for establishing and developing Sino-U.S. diplomatic relations." He added, "China's reunification is an irresistible historical trend and the common will of the Chinese people." He urged, "The One-China principle and the three joint communiqu?s must be respected, and Taiwan-related issues should be handled prudently. Actions that distort these must cease to avoid further damaging bilateral relations and the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait."

Earlier, Democratic Senator Ed Markey, leading Democratic Representatives John Garamendi, Alan Lowenthal, Don Beyer, and Republican Representatives Amata Coleman Radewagen, visited Taiwan and held talks with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen.

In response, the Chinese military mobilized a large number of military aircraft and warships to conduct "live-fire exercises." Su Yi, spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army, announced via the official WeChat account, "On the 15th, the Eastern Theater Command organized joint combat readiness patrols and live-fire exercises involving various military branches in the sea and airspace around Taiwan Island." They also released footage filmed from the pilot's perspective of Chinese military aircraft flying over the Penghu Islands.

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