China warns to ‘smash Taiwan independence and thwart any foreign interference’
By Mar-Vic Cagurangan
Infuriated by Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s plan to visit Guam and Hawaii, China warned to “thwart” any foreign support for the democratically ruled island’s independence.
“We have all along opposed official interactions between the U.S. and the Taiwan region, opposed any visit by the leader of the Taiwan authorities to the U.S. in any name or under whatever pretext, and opposed any form of U.S. connivance and support for ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists and their separatist activities in any form,” Mao Ning, spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry told a press conference on Thursday.
“The one-China principle is a basic norm in international relations and a prevailing international consensus,” she added.
Taiwan’s presidential office last week officially announced Lai’s upcoming visit to Palau, the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu. However, the president’s side trips to U.S. jurisdictions were kept under wraps until Thursday.
Singapore’s Channel News Asia quoted an unnamed official from Taiwan’s president’s office, who confirmed that Lai would make stopovers in Guam and Hawaii during his seven-day trip to the Pacific, which begins on Saturday.
The official told the CNA that Lai was scheduled to "meet with old friends" while in Hawaii and Guam, and attend closed-doors think tank events and dinners with Taiwanese expatriates.
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Lai’s U.S. route stirred up Beijing’s indignant reaction.
“With the sacred mission of defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity on shoulders, the Chinese (People’s Liberation Army) will resolutely smash any 'Taiwan independence' separatist attempts and thwart any foreign interference," Senior Col. Wu Qian, spokesperson for China’s defense ministry, said Thursday.
According to Taiwan’s presidential office Lai, accompanied by his delegation, is set to Taipei at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, stopping first in Hawaii for a two-night layover before traveling to the Marshall Islands.
From the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu, Lai will transit through Guam and spend a night there before flying to Palau, said the official, who declined to be named.
The three Pacific countries are diplomatically allied with Taiwan.
Although the U.S. abides by the one-China policy, Washington has pledged to defend Taiwan from the PLA's takeover.
In a press conference on Nov. 22, Karen Kuo, spokesperson for the president’s office said Lai’s trip “hopes to achieve the core goals of smart sustainability, sustainable democracy and sustainable diplomatic ties.”
“The president looks forward to continuing to strengthen the close and friendly partnerships with our allies, and on the foundation of mutual assistance for mutual benefits, allow for the sustainable growth of all areas of cooperation and enhance the well-being of all our peoples,” she said.
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