13-8-2023 (BEIJING) The foreign ministry of China has vehemently denounced the brief visit of Taiwan’s Vice President, William Lai, to the United States. Accusing Lai of being a “troublemaker through and through” and a separatist, Beijing expressed its resolve to take robust measures to safeguard its sovereignty.
Lai, a frontrunner in Taiwan’s upcoming presidential elections in January, arrived in New York on Saturday, ostensibly for a transit en route to Paraguay for the presidential inauguration.
China, which considers Taiwan as an integral part of its territory, has consistently voiced its disapproval of Lai’s trip, which includes a stopover in San Francisco on his return to Taipei.
Issuing a statement shortly after Lai’s arrival in New York from Taipei, China’s foreign ministry expressed its objection to any visit by “Taiwan independence separatists” to the United States.
The ministry asserted that Lai staunchly adheres to the separatist stance of Taiwan’s independence and is a constant instigator of discord. It reaffirmed that Taiwan is at the “core of China’s core interests,” highlighting the root cause of the escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait as Taiwan’s attempt to “rely on the United States to seek independence.”
China’s statement warned that it closely monitors the situation and will take unwavering measures to defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Lai has been a contentious figure in China’s eyes due to his previous self-identification as a “practical worker for Taiwan independence.” However, during his campaign, he has reiterated that he seeks to maintain the status quo and that Taiwan’s fate should be determined by its people.
Lai’s visit is anticipated to include engagements with overseas Taiwanese during his New York stopover. He is expected to keep the visit “low key” and is not scheduled to meet US lawmakers, aligning with the position of both Taipei and Washington to cautiously manage risks amid heightened tensions in the authoritarian region.
As Lai arrived in New York, he expressed his anticipation of meeting friends and participating in transit programs.
Notably, Laura Rosenberger, the chair of the American Institute in Taiwan, conveyed her intention to meet Lai during his San Francisco stopover, signaling the significance of the visit in the context of US-Taiwan relations.
China’s military maneuvers near Taiwan are likely to escalate this week, with Lai’s US stopovers serving as a pretext to intimidate Taiwanese voters ahead of next year’s election. This calculated move aims to instill a sense of wariness and fear of conflict among the population.
China’s Eastern Theatre Command, responsible for the region surrounding Taiwan, shared a video of fighter jets engaged in dogfights, asserting that its forces have been undergoing intense flight training.
Amidst these tensions, both China and the United States are striving to improve their diplomatic relations. A possible visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to the US holds the potential to pave the way for a meeting between US President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping later this year.
Over the past three years, China has escalated its military activities around Taiwan, with the intent to compel the island to acknowledge Beijing’s sovereignty.
