US could exploit tensions around Taiwan: China FM
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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi argues that Beijing remains vigilant and will not allow the US any room to exploit instability and escalate the crisis around Taiwan.
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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi
Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday told Chinese media that his country remained vigilant as the US may exploit instability around Taiwan to further escalate the crisis.
"The situation in the Taiwan Strait is still strained, and we will be vigilant as the United States may use the situation by planning to boost military presence and trying to escalate the crisis," Wang told reporters.
Taipei views Beijing's white book on Taiwan as demonstrating its determination to "invade" the island, and rejects the "one country - two systems" approach, Taiwanese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Joanne Ou said on Thursday.
In an interview aired on TVBS, Ou said that "The contents of the White Book demonstrate China's determination to militarily invade Taiwan," adding that "We reject the policy of 'one country - two systems.' Taiwan's future should be exclusively determined by the Taiwanese people."
In parallel, the Taiwanese military held yesterday yet another round of live-fire drills in the Taiwan Strait after the Chinese army concluded its military exercises in the South China Sea in light of tensions with Taipei over US regional interference.
On the other hand, China announced carrying out fresh military drills around Taiwan on August 8, days after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to the island gave rise to worse tensions between the two powers.
Pelosi's visit led China to announce ending cooperation with the United States on a number of issues such as climate change, anti-drug efforts, and military talks.
What was significant about the visit is that it came at a time of great tensions between Beijing and Washington over Taiwan, and it marked the first visit made by a US House Speaker to the island since 1997.
China's top diplomat also responded to Taipei's allegation regarding the white book, and made it clear that Beijing rejects any direct formal foreign connections with Taiwan, given that the island is part of Chinese territory.
The use of Taiwan and the Taiwanese pro-independence forces as an opportunity to constrain Beijing will end in failure, as the reunification of Taiwan with China is considered a historical inevitability, Wang added.
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