Beijing – AFP
Beijing on Thursday reaffirmed its opposition to military ties between Washington and Taiwan, following the announcement by President Tsai Ing-wen that there was a small number of US troops on the island.
China considers Taiwan as its territory, has promised to forcibly rejoin the island one day if necessary, and has raised its rhetoric over the past few years.
In an interview with CNN on Thursday, Chai confirmed that a small number of U.S. troops were on the island to assist in military exercises, and said he was “fully confident” that the U.S. military would defend the country in the event of a Chinese attack. Attack.
The comments angered Beijing. “We strongly oppose any official or military ties between the United States and Taiwan, and we oppose any attempt by the United States to interfere in China’s internal affairs and provoke trouble,” said Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Wang Wenbin.
When Washington transferred diplomatic recognition to Beijing in 1979, Chai’s comments marked the first time a Taiwanese president had publicly acknowledged this since the last US military withdrawal in 1979.
“One-China policy is the political pillar of Sino-US relations,” Wang said, adding that “the United States should not underestimate the strong commitment of the Chinese people to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Beijing severed official ties with Taipei and increased diplomatic, economic and military pressure on Taiwan because it did not consider the island of Sai as “part of a China”.
Although the United States has transferred political recognition to Beijing, it opposes the forcible transfer of Taiwan’s status and helps maintain Taiwan’s defense capabilities.