Qin Gang slams US for ‘blurring’ ‘One China’ policy lines

On Wednesday, Beijing hit the United States again over relations with Taiwan, with the Chinese ambassador accusing the Biden administration of « emptying and blurring » the long-accepted « One China » policy.

« [The US] significantly strengthens official ties with Taiwan by sending more officials to the island. It sends sophisticated weapons to Taiwan and even claims that the United States will defend Taiwan militarily,” Ambassador Qin Gang said at the annual Aspen Security Forum.

« The United States is digging and blurring the ‘One China’ policy, » he said.

Qin appeared to be referring to President Biden’s repeated insistence that the United States would defend Taiwan if China besieged the island – which it says has long been its territory.

Biden last vowed to defend Taiwan in May, telling reporters that getting involved militarily is “the commitment we made.”

“We agree with the ‘One China’ policy. We subscribed to it. All side agreements [were] made from there. But the idea that it can be taken by force, just taken by force. It’s just not – it’s just not appropriate,” he said.

Through this policy, the United States recognizes the People’s Republic of China as the sole government of the Asian nation. However, when it comes to Taiwan, Washington has maintained a policy of strategic ambiguity – acknowledging Beijing’s claim to the island but not endorsing it.

The United States has warned that China could assert control over Taiwan through an invasion in recent months. CIA Director William Burns reiterated his concern at the security forum on Wednesday saying he « wouldn’t underestimate President Xi [JinPing]determination to assert Chinese control.

Burns added that « the risks get higher…the further you go into this decade. »

On Wednesday evening, Biden revealed to reporters that he would meet with Xi within the next ten days.

He also urged House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to cancel her announced upcoming visit to Taiwan next month – which sparked a strong backlash from Beijing.

« The military thinks it’s not a good idea right now, » Biden said.

The Chinese government also urged the California Democrat not to visit the island the day before, saying it would have a « serious negative impact » on US-China relations.

« The US Congress is part of the US government and is supposed to strictly adhere to the US one-China policy, » Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijan said, adding that China « firmly » opposes any official interaction between the United States and Taiwan.

“If President Pelosi visits Taiwan, it would seriously violate the one-China principle… It would have a serious negative impact on the political foundations of China-US relations and send a seriously wrong signal to the separatist forces of ‘independence’. of Taiwan”.

« China firmly opposes such a visit, » Zhao added.

Pelosi spokesperson Drew Hammill declined to comment on whether the speaker plans to travel to Taiwan, telling the Post, « We do not confirm or deny international travel in advance due to security protocols from long time. »