UPDATE - China warns US to stop military collusion with Taiwan

ADDS STATEMENT BY WHITE HOUSE

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) – China’s top military general on Thursday warned the US to stop its military “collusion” with Taiwan, saying the island is a red line for Beijing that must not be crossed.

Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), urged US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in a meeting in Beijing before his departure after a three-day visit to stop military collusion with Taiwan, arming the island, and spreading false narratives, state-run CGTN reported.

He also reiterated his country's firm position on the Taiwan issue, warning against any military collusion between the US and China's Taiwan region.

"The Taiwan question is at the very core of China's core interests, bedrock of the political foundation of China-U.S. relations, and the first red line that must not be crossed in China-U.S. relations," Zhang told Sullivan.

China always committed to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits, he said, adding, "'Taiwan independence' is as incompatible with cross-Straits peace as fire with water."

"It is the mission and duty of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) to take resolute steps to oppose ‘Taiwan independence’ and promote reunification," he said.

In a rare one-on-one meeting, the top Chinese general warned against any provocative actions by "Taiwan independence" forces.

He hoped that the US would join China in pursuing mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation.

Meanwhile, the White House issued a statement, saying Sullivan stressed that both countries bear responsibility for preventing competition from veering into conflict or confrontation.

Sullivan also raised the importance of cross-strait peace and stability and expressed his concern over China’s support to Russia.

The two sides also discussed the ongoing efforts to reach a cease-fire and hostage swap deal in Gaza.

They also reaffirmed the significance of regular military-to-military communications as part of efforts to maintain high-level diplomacy and open lines of communication, as directed by Presidents Joe Biden and Xi at the November 2023 Woodside Summit.

Sullivan arrived in China on Tuesday for a three-day visit and also met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during which the two leaders agreed to continue cooperation in drug control, law enforcement, repatriation of illegal immigrants, and climate change mitigation.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid