China has promised to take strong actions following the meeting between the United States and Taiwan. The meeting, which took place on 13 April 2021, was the first official meeting between the two countries since President Joe Biden took office in January.
The meeting was held virtually due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and it was attended by Director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Brent Christensen and Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu. The meeting was seen as a significant move by the US to strengthen its ties with Taiwan, which China considers a breakaway province.
China’s response to the meeting was swift and forceful. The Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning the meeting, saying that it violated China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The statement also warned that China would take “necessary measures” to safeguard its interests.
China’s reaction to the meeting is not surprising, given its long-standing opposition to any official contact between Taiwan and foreign governments. China views Taiwan as a renegade province that must be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary.
The US, on the other hand, has been a strong supporter of Taiwan for decades. The US has maintained unofficial diplomatic relations with Taiwan since 1979 when it switched its recognition from Taipei to Beijing. However, the US has continued to sell arms to Taiwan and has provided political and economic support to the island nation.
The meeting between the US and Taiwan is significant because it signals a shift in US policy towards Taiwan under the Biden administration. The Trump administration had taken a more confrontational approach towards China, including increasing support for Taiwan. The Biden administration has continued this policy but has also sought to engage with China on issues such as climate change and nuclear non-proliferation.
China’s response to the meeting is likely to increase tensions between the two countries. China has already been engaged in a trade war with the US for several years, and the two countries have also clashed over issues such as human rights and the South China Sea. The meeting between the US and Taiwan is likely to add another layer of complexity to an already fraught relationship.
In conclusion, China’s promise to take strong actions following the meeting between the US and Taiwan is not surprising given its long-standing opposition to any official contact between Taiwan and foreign governments. The meeting is significant because it signals a shift in US policy towards Taiwan under the Biden administration. However, it is also likely to increase tensions between the US and China, which could have far-reaching consequences for the global economy and security.
