China censures US decision on interaction with Taiwan

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) – China on Monday lambasted the US decision to lift restrictions on contacts between American and Taiwanese officials.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Jan. 9 termed "null and void" the self-imposed restrictions on US diplomats, servicemembers, and other officials’ interactions with their Taiwanese "counterparts."

"This action will benefit both of our great democracies," he had tweeted along with a statement by the US Department of State.

“The Taiwan question is at the core of China-US relations and is the premise of the two countries' diplomatic relations,” China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhao Lijian was quoted by the state-owned CGTN news channel as saying. “Any attempt to obstruct China's reunification process [with Taiwan] will not succeed."

Pompeo termed the restrictions on US officials "an attempt to appease the Communist regime in Beijing."

In response, Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said he was "grateful" for lifting the restrictions, which "unnecessarily" limited bilateral engagements.

Beijing considers Taiwan – officially known as the Republic of China – a breakaway province, but Taipei insists on its independence since 1949, and has diplomatic relations with 16 countries and regions.

The US formally recognized China in 1979 and under “Three Communiques,” shifted diplomatic relations from Taipei to Beijing, acknowledging the "One China" policy and thus including Taiwan as part of mainland China.

It, however, has increased its engagement with Taiwan recently. Last August, US Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar became the highest-ranking US politician to hold meetings on the island in decades.

It also approved arms sales to Taiwan worth billions of dollars in 2020.

Beijing has time and again asked Washington to respect the "One-China" policy, and has in response enhanced its military presence in the region.

Meanwhile, Taiwan has started issuing new passports to its citizens. The new travel document will have “Taiwan” written in enlarged words on its front page to avoid confusion with those from China.