Taiwan says not ‘affiliated’ with China after Wang- Sullivan meeting in Beijing

Taipei, Aug 29 (EFE).- Taiwan stressed on Thursday that it was not «affiliated” with the People’s Republic of China after a meeting in Beijing between the US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

According to a readout of the meeting released by the Chinese foreign ministry, Wang told Sullivan on Wednesday that the US must «stop arming Taiwan» and warned that Taiwanese «independence» is «the biggest risk to peace and stability» in the Taiwan Strait.

«Taiwan belongs to China and China will surely be unified….The United States should implement its commitments of not supporting ‘Taiwan independence,'» Wang said during the meeting.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry «strongly» condemned these remarks, which it said contained many fallacies that deviated from reality and emphasized that the Republic of China (Taiwan’s official name) and the People’s Republic of China «are not affiliated with each other.»

«China’s continued intimidation and suppression of Taiwan, as well as its naked ambitions for military expansion, are the biggest sources of risks that undermine regional peace and stability,» the island’s foreign ministry said, adding that Beijing’s expansionist aspirations go beyond Taiwan.

«The merger of China and Russia, becoming a key supporter of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine (is) jeopardizing transatlantic security, and reflecting China’s ambitions to surpass Taiwan and cross regions, becoming a major global threat,» the ministry said.

«Taiwan will continue to strengthen its self-defense capabilities and work with like-minded partners such as the United States to defend the rules-based international order to ensure peace, stability and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region,» it added.

Since the new Taiwanese president, William Lai (also known as Lai Ching-te), took office in May, China has increased its military activity around the island and raised the tone of its threats against the «secessionists» of Taiwan, which has been governed independently since 1949 and is considered by China to be a «rebel province.»

Chinese authorities consider Taiwan to be the main «red line» between Washington and Beijing, since the US is Taipei’s main arms supplier and has pledged to defend the island in the event of a conflict. EFE

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