BEIJING: Taiwan’s Vice President William Lai brief visit to United States has irked Chinese authorities.
Chinese Foreign Ministry on Sunday termed the Taiwan’s official as a separatist and trouble through and through.
William Lai is expected to be president in the elections to be held early next year and his brief transit in New York on his way to the inauguration of Paraguay’s President has made Chinese authorities to come out strong.
China has since long claimed Taiwan as its own territory and has repeatedly denounced Taiwanese official visit to United States which also included a stopover in San Francisco on Wednesday on his way back to the capital Taipei.
The statement from Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that it opposed any form of visit made by Taiwan independence separatists and it came after the landing of William Lai in New York.
The statement from the Ministry stated that Taiwan is core of China’s core interest and the rise in tension in Strait of Taiwan is because of the fact that Taiwan is relying on United States for seeking its independence.
The Foreign Ministry statement further added that China is closely watching the developments in and will take measures to defend its sovereignty and national integrity.
It is pertinent to note that China in particular has a disliking for the Taiwanese official William Lai and has termed his as practical worker for Taiwan’s independence. William Lai who is running for president next year has time and again stated in his campaigns that he is not attempting to change the status quo and the future of Taiwan is in the hands of Taiwan’s people.
William Lai’s visit to United States included meeting with the Taiwanese living abroad where he made a speech.
The Taiwan official low keyed visit is in line with shared stance of the two countries in jointly managing the risks faced in the region.
Laura Rosenberger who heads the chair of the American Institute Taiwan (AIT) on X platform stated that she would meet William Lai in San Francisco on Wednesday.
China’s military drills in the region near Taiwan in near future is viewed by the Taiwan’s officials as act to intimidate voters in elections next year.
A video posted by People’s Liberation Army China displays intense aerial manoeuvres by Chinese fighter planes. Eastern Theatre Command of People Liberation Army is stationed in area around Taiwan.
William Lai’s visit is coming around the time when Washington and Beijing are making efforts to improve relations.
The Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visit to United States in viewed as possibility of meeting between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Chinese military presence around Taiwan and war games staged a few months ago was viewed as an angry response from China when Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-Wen met US Speaker of the House Kevin MacCarthy on her way back to Taipei from visit to Central America.
