The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) yesterday expressed concern regarding Chinese threats, hours after a call between China and the US’ top diplomats.
“MOFA is concerned about the press release issued by China ... which again unilaterally made threatening remarks on the Taiwan issue,” the ministry said.
In a call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday, Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi (王毅) urged the US to “make the right choices” on Taiwan to safeguard “stability” between the two nations, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Photo: Taipei Times
“The United States must honor its commitments and make the right choices, opening new perspectives for bilateral cooperation and do its part to promote world peace,” Wang said.
The call came ahead of a highly anticipated summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) on May 14 and 15, in which Taiwan is expected to be one of the key topics.
Trump had previously suggested he would discuss arms sales to Taiwan with Xi, a statement that raised concerns in Taiwan.
The foreign affairs ministry said China has “recently continued to escalate pressure on Taiwan,” referring to allegations that Beijing disrupted a planned visit by President William Lai (賴清德) to Eswatini last month.
Lai was forced to postpone the visit to Taiwan’s lone African ally after three countries withdrew permission for him to fly over their territories due to pressure from China, the Presidential Office said.
China did not confirm nor deny the allegations, but instead expressed “high appreciation” for the actions, saying the “relevant countries’ adherence to the ‘one China’ principle is in full compliance with international law.”
Additional reporting by AFP
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