Beijing, Apr 15 (Prensa Latina) China today began naval and air maneuvers in the Taiwan Strait in response to a visit by six United States officials to the island, which it considers an inalienable part of its territory.
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Shi Yi, a spokesman for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), announced that the Eastern Theater Command “sent frigates, bombers, fighters and other forces on a multipurpose mission of combat patrol and naval and air training” in that area and also in the East China Sea.
According to him, the exercises are “in response to the recent false signals that the United States frequently launches on the Taiwan issue.”
Meanwhile, the Chinese Ministry of Defense, Wu Qian, deplored the unannounced visit to Taipei by the US representation headed by the head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Bob Menéndez.
That mission arrived on the island yesterday and this Friday it meets with the leader Tsai Ing-wen.
The Ministry spokesman denounced that such action undermines the political foundations of Sino-US relations and causes an escalation of tensions in the region, after warning that the PLA will take all necessary measures to counter external interference and attempts to orchestrate the Taiwan independence.
Similarly, the Chinese Foreign Ministry rejected the visit of the Americans and demanded that Washington cut off all types of official contact with Taipei. He considered that move as a serious violation of the One China principle and the statements that support bilateral relations, as well as interference in the internal affairs of the Asian giant and its security interests.
The international community approved with 170 votes a resolution in 1971 that considers the People’s Republic of China the only legitimate representative before the United Nations and recognizes Taiwan as an inalienable part of that Asian nation.
To move towards the complete reunification of the national territory, Beijing also defends the policy of One country, two systems, applied in the administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao.
However, Taipei’s leaders refuse to accept that status.
jcm / ymr
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