China summons EU, Japanese envoys over G7 statement on Taiwan

ANKARA (AA) - China's Foreign Ministry summoned the ambassadors of some European countries and Japan on Friday and lodged a protest against a G7 statement on Taiwan, state-run media reported.

According to the Global Times, the Foreign Ministry lodged solemn representations over the G7 and European Union's statement on the Taiwan question.

"The statement distorted the facts, which is a blatant political provocation," the ministry told the envoys.

The ministry also summoned Japanese Ambassador to China Hideo Tarumi on Japan’s position and said it "seriously violated basic international rules and four China-Japan political documents."

"The Taiwan question concerns the political foundation of China-Japan relations & basic trust between the two countries. Japan colonized Taiwan island for a long time and bears historic criminal liabilities, and should be more cautious in its words & deeds," said Deng.

On Thursday, G7 countries' foreign ministers expressed concern over China's military drill and live firing around Taiwan and said Beijing's escalatory response risks increasing tensions and destabilizing the region.

"There is no justification to use a visit as pretext for aggressive military activity in the Taiwan Strait. It is normal and routine for legislators from our countries to travel internationally," said the bloc's top envoys.

"We call on the PRC (People's Republic of China) not to unilaterally change the status quo by force in the region, and to resolve cross-Strait differences by peaceful means.

"There is no change in the respective one-China policies, where applicable, and basic positions on Taiwan of the G7 members," it added.

On Thursday, in a show of power and anger against US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan, the Chinese military launched missiles around the self-ruled island.

The Rocket Force of the People’s Liberation Army launched multiple types of conventional missiles into several designated sea regions east of Taiwan, accurately hitting targets.

* Writing by Islamuddin Sajid.