China Calls Taiwan's Leader Plan To Pacific Countries A Form Of Provocation

JAKARTA - Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te's plan to visit three countries in the Pacific was a form of provocation.

"Political manipulation and provocation activities of Lai Ching-te authorities by using travel to countries that have so-called 'plomatic relations' with Taiwan will result in nothing," Lin Jian said, quoting Antara.

Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te is said to be visiting three diplomatic allies in the Pacific on November 30, 2024.

Taiwanese leaders usually use visits to Pacific countries to make official stops to the United States, Taiwan's most important weapons support and supplier.

Of the 12 countries that have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, three of them are in the Pacific, namely Palau, Marshall Islands andTherefore.

"The principle of one China is the basic norm in international relations and the applicable international consensus," added Lin Jian.

The visit, said Lin Jian, would not destabilize international commitments to the principle of "One-China".

"We urge related countries to clearly see historical trends and make the right decisions that really meet their fundamental and long-term interests," said Lin Jian.

Lin Jian said President Xi Jinping in a meeting with US President Joe Biden in Lima, Peru also emphasized that the principles of one China and three communicants with China-US are the political foundation of China-US relations and must be obeyed.

"The peace and stability across straits and separatist activities of 'Taiwan independence' cannot be reconciled such as water and fire. If the US cares to maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait, it is very important to clearly see the true nature of Lai Ching-te and the DPP authorities in seeking 'Taiwan independence', dealing with Taiwan's problems very carefully, firmly against 'Taiwan independence' and supporting China's peaceful reunification," Lin Jian explained.

He also emphasized China's firm stance against all forms of official interaction between the US and Taiwanese territory.

"China firmly opposes the visit of Taiwanese authorities leaders to the US under any name or under any pretext, and firmly opposes all forms of US conspiracy and support for 'Taiwan independence' separatists and their separatist activities," said Lin Jian.

The order of the three destination countries for Lai's visit in the Pacific is not yet known for up to 1-2 days of visit.

The visit, which is planned to last for 7 days, is Lai's first overseas visit since winning the election in January 2024 and officially serving in May 2024.

Taiwanese spokesman Karen Kuo said the visit was not only a positive response to invitations from the three Pacific countries, but also showed Taiwan's commitment to partners in the region.

He is suspected of going to Hawaii or Guam, which is a US military base.

Lai's visit will be carried out at the end of President Joe Biden's administration, which said US troops would defend Taiwan in the event of an invasion by China.

Currently, there are only 12 countries that have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, namelyaturation, Guatemala, Paraguay, Haiti, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Marshall Islands, Palau, Bribery, Eswatini and the Vatican.

Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is considered a Taiwanese leader who is very persistent in fighting for Taiwan's independence. However, Beijing calls it "dangerous" and has become one of the " separatist groups" to trigger cross-state conflicts.

Under the leadership of former Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen of the DPP since 2016, Taiwan has taken a tough stance against Beijing as well as the principle of "One China" which says that Taiwan is territory under Beijing's rule.