Blinken’s Taiwan statement intended to support separatist acts: China

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - China on Wednesday charged the top US diplomat with “intending” to support “Taiwan independence” after Antony Blinken said the island nation be invited to the World Health Assembly (WHA).

“The US statement is misguided and misleading,” said Wang Wenbin, spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry, responding to Blinken’s comments on Taiwan which China considers its “breakaway province.”

US Secretary of State Blinken had Tuesday encouraged the World Health Organization (WHO) to invite Taiwan as an observer to the WHA’s annual meeting in Geneva.

He said the WHA should invite Taiwan as an observer to its annual meeting in Geneva which will take place between May 21-30 to discuss global public health priorities.

However, Wang retorted: “There is only one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. The Taiwan region’s participation in the activities of international organizations, including the WHO, must be handled in accordance with the one-China principle.”

“The US statement … is intended to connive at and support separatist acts for ‘Taiwan independence’,” said Wang, according to a transcript of his news briefing released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

“The Taiwan question is at the core of China’s core interests. It is the number one red line that must not be crossed between China and the US,” he added, urging Washington to adhere to the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-US joint communiques.

“Any attempt of playing the Taiwan card and using Taiwan to contain China will be rejected by the international community and not succeed.”