China ‘seriously concerned’ over Taiwan president’s ‘transit’ plans to US

BEIJING/TAIPEI, March 8 (Reuters) – China said on Wednesday it was “seriously concerned” about Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s “transit” plans and had sought clarification from Washington, amid reports indicating that he will meet the President of the United States. House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, USA.

McCarthy plans to meet Tsai in the United States in the coming weeks, two sources told Reuters on Monday. It could replace the Republican’s long-awaited but tricky trip to the democratically-ruled island claimed by China.

McCarthy on Tuesday confirmed his intention to meet Tsai in the United States this year and stressed that this did not preclude a subsequent visit to Taiwan, the Bloomberg news agency reported.

Taiwanese presidents, including Tsai, have a habit of traveling across the United States to visit other countries, usually for a day or two, although the US government has generally avoided meeting Taiwanese officials in Washington.

Taiwan’s presidential office, in a brief statement in response to what it said were media questions about Tsai’s overseas visits, said the “transit arrangements” had been in place for many years, although he does not directly mention the United States.

“At present, various departments are communicating and preparing relevant plans, and related route planning will be explained in due course once the plan is finalized,” he added, without giving further details.

In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said she was “seriously concerned about the news”.

“We made solemn demarches to the US side and asked them to clarify,” he added.

China firmly opposes any form of official exchange between the United States and Taiwan, he said, adding, “No one should underestimate the unwavering determination of the Chinese government and people to safeguard sovereignty. nationality and territorial integrity”.

“The real threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is Taiwan’s separatist forces,” Mao said.

China has rejected Tsai’s calls for dialogue since taking office in 2016, citing her as a separatist.

China has never ruled out the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control. The Taiwanese government says the PRC has never ruled the island and therefore has no right to claim it, and that only its 23 million people can decide its future.

Taiwan is a constant source of friction between Beijing and Washington. China’s foreign minister said on Tuesday that Taiwan was the “first red line” not to be crossed in China-US relations.

China held military exercises around Taiwan in August, following a visit to Taipei by then US President Nancy Pelosi.

The United States does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but is required by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself.

(Reporting by Liz Lee and Ben Blanchard; Additional reporting by Yimou Lee in Taipei; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman, Robert Birsel and Shri Navaratnam, Spanish editing by José Muñoz)