India must remain committed to the one-China principle and deal with Taiwan prudently, Beijing warned on Tuesday after a media report that New Delhi could open trade talks with Taiwan, which mainland China considers a breakaway region.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry also criticized a meeting of the newly appointed US official for Tibetan affairs with the head of the government in exile in Tibet.
“There is only ‘One China’ in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. The one-China principle is a universal consensus of the international community, including India, ”said ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian at a regular briefing.
Zhao was reacting to a Bloomberg report that indicated that India could start trade talks with Taiwan.
“This (one-China principle) is also the political basis for China to develop ties with other countries. Therefore, we strongly oppose any official exchange between countries that have diplomatic relations with China and Taiwan or the signing of any official document, ”Zhao added.
“The Indian side must remain committed to the one-China principle and address Taiwan-related issues prudently and appropriately.”
Tensions between China and Taiwan have recently escalated over the reunification issue, summarily rejected by the current Taiwanese administration led by President Tsai Ing-wen.
Beijing has reacted aggressively to the development of ties between Taiwan and foreign countries, including India.
Earlier this month, the Chinese embassy in New Delhi issued guidelines for Indian media coverage of Taiwan’s National Day, observed on October 10, saying that all countries that have diplomatic relations with Beijing must “firmly honor their commitment. with the one China policy. “
The Chinese embassy sent a letter referring to the “so-called upcoming ‘National Taiwan Day’”, and saying that “I would like to remind our friends in the media that there is only one China in the world, and the People’s Government The Republic of China is the only legitimate government that represents all of China. “
“Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory … All countries that have diplomatic relations with China must firmly honor their commitment to the one-China policy, which is also the long-standing official position of the Indian government,” the statement read. letter. .
In February 2017, China lodged a complaint with India about the rare visit of a Taiwanese parliamentary delegation, warning New Delhi to follow the “one China” policy and not have any official contact with Taipei.
In September 2015, before becoming the first female president of Taiwan, Tsai had spoken about the growing importance of India in Taiwan’s foreign policy.
“Asean and India are about to become two of the largest economic organizations in the world. Strengthening our overall relationships is a natural choice for Taiwan as we diversify our economic and business ties. In the future, we will form a new working group to actively pursue this policy goal, ”Tsai said in his speech on the 29th anniversary of the DPP in September.
‘Tibet’s affairs are purely China’s internal affairs’
Spokesman Zhao also reacted angrily to reports of the meeting between the head of the Tibetan administration in exile, Lobsang Sangey, with the newly appointed US special coordinator for Tibetan affairs, Robert Destro.
Zhao said that the affairs of Tibet are purely China’s internal affairs.
“No external force will interfere with them. Appointing the so-called special coordinator for Tibetan affairs is a political move to interfere in China’s internal affairs and sabotage the stability of Xizang (Tibet). It is the constant position of China that we strongly oppose, and we will not recognize it. “
“We have presented a severe representation to the American side. The so-called Tibetan government in exile is a separatist political organization pursuing a wild dream of Tibetan independence. It violates China’s constitution and law and is not recognized by any nation around the world, ”Zhao added.
Zhao, who called Sangay an “anti-China separatist,” said China strongly opposes him participating in anti-China separatist activities in any state and on any pretext in any country.
“We strongly oppose officials from other countries having any kind of contact with him.”
“Destro, meeting with this person violated the commitment and political stance of the US side of not supporting Xizang’s independence and not recognizing this government in exile. This will send a very wrong signal to Xizang’s independence forces. “
“We urge the US side to stop interfering in China’s internal affairs and sabotage the development and stability of Xizang and refrain from offering support to separatist forces. China will take all measures to safeguard its own interests. “
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