Criticizing China over the Taiwan issue will have “dangerous consequences,” Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang warned on Friday.
Two weeks ago, China launched three days of military exercises around this autonomous democratic island in response to the meeting between Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and Speaker of the US House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy.
“Recently there has been absurd rhetoric accusing China of unilaterally changing the ‘status quo’ in the Taiwan Strait through force or coercion and disrupting peace and stability” in the area, the minister said at a forum in Shanghai .
“Such statements go against the common sense of international relations and historical justice”said Qin Gang. “The logic is absurd and will have dangerous consequences”he added.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory and advocates taking back control of the island in the future, by force if necessary. “The Taiwan issue is central to China’s fundamental interests”said the diplomat.
“We will never compromise on actions that undermine China’s sovereignty and security. Those who play with fire in Taiwan will eventually be burned.”he added.
In his speech, Qin praised China’s peaceful intentions and emphasized its role in the reconciliation of Saudi Arabia and Iran and its willingness to mediate the war in Ukraine, which he did not condemn.
“China is not adding fuel to the fire and is not taking advantage of the situation”he said. “The facts prove that China’s push for modernization is a growing force for peace and justice”he added.
Source: DN
