China vows to “fight back” if Taiwan’s leader meets with US speaker

Picture source - AFP

China on Wednesday pledged to strike back if Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen met the US House speaker while visiting the US.

As per media reports, Tsai departed for the United States on Wednesday, she will travel to Guatemala and Belize to maintain relations with diplomatic allies. She will also visit California on her route back to Taiwan, where US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy had promised to meet her.

According to the “One China” principle, no country may retain formal links with both Beijing and Taipei. China sees the democratic island as a piece of its territory that will one day be retaken.

On Wednesday, Beijing issued a strong statement expressing its resolute opposition to any meeting between Tsai and McCarthy and pledging to take resolute steps to fight back if one were to take place.

“If (Tsai) engages with US House Speaker McCarthy, it will be another provocation that seriously violates the One China principle, undermines China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and undermines peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhu Fenglian said.

Tsai’s trip came after Honduras decided to establish diplomatic ties with Beijing earlier this month, leaving only 13 nations with formal relations with Taiwan, including Belize and Guatemala.

“External pressure will not hinder our determination to go global,” Tsai told reporters at the airport before leaving. “We are calm and confident. We will not succumb and we will not provoke (others).”