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China condemns stop of Taiwan's vice president in New York

2023-08-13 21:51:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

China condemns stop of Taiwan's vice president in New York

China's Foreign Ministry expressed its opposition to a transit stop in the United States of Taiwan's Vice President William Lai as he traveled to Paraguay, warning on Sunday that it may take "strong measures" in response to the visit.

In its statement on Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: "China strongly condemns the decision of the United States to plan the so-called standoff," adding that Beijing firmly opposes "any form of official contact by the US government with the region of Taiwan".

Mr. Lai, the statement added, "stubbornly adheres to the separatist position of 'Taiwan independence'" and that he is a "totally problematic" man.

Mr. Lai is a Harvard-educated physician who is now engaged in politics and is a leading candidate in Taiwan's upcoming presidential election. He has previously described himself as a "practical worker for Taiwan independence", but during the campaign he stressed that he is not trying to change the current situation. He has also expressed his willingness to establish friendship with China.

Before departing, Mr. Lai spoke to reporters but did not mention the United States. Arriving at his hotel in New York, he was greeted by dozens of supporters, who waved the flags of the United States and Taiwan, as well as the green-white flag of his ruling Democratic Progressive Party.

On his platform X account, formerly Twitter, the Taiwanese leader wrote that he was happy to arrive in New York and that he was "looking forward to meeting his friends".

Analysts say that during Vice President Lai's stops, Taipei and Washington will try not to further exacerbate US-China tensions, but the visit comes as challenges in relations between the world's two largest economies continue to grow.

China has increased its military activities around Taiwan over the past three years, seeking to force the island to accept Beijing's sovereignty.

In April, China staged war games around Taiwan in an angry response to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen meeting US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California on a stopover on her way back to Taipei after her visit to America. Central./  CNA





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