China’s foreign minister has warned other countries not to interfere in the dispute with Taiwan. “Whoever supports Taiwan’s independence will be burned and swallow the bitter pill for their actions,” Wang Yi said at a news conference on the sidelines of the National People’s Congress in Beijing. China will never allow Taiwan to secede from the mainland.
Wang described the recent parliamentary and presidential elections in Taiwan in mid-January as “local elections in a part of China.” The Communist Party ruling in Beijing counts Taiwan as part of China’s territory, even though a democratically elected government has been in power there for decades and Beijing has never ruled the East Asian island republic in the Indo-Pacific with more than 23 million inhabitants. The election was won by Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party, which Beijing views as separatist. The inauguration is planned for May 20, with which Lai will replace President Tsai Ing-wen, who previously served for two electoral terms.
“Certain countries” insist on maintaining official relations with Taiwan, criticized Wang. The island’s most important ally is the United States. US politicians have repeatedly traveled to Taiwan and reiterated Washington’s support there. The USA assured the government in Taipei of support in the event of a defense. Because of China’s constant demonstrations of military force in the strait between the People’s Republic and Taiwan, some fear a conflict. China wants the island to be reunited with the mainland – if necessary using military means.
