Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated at a regular press conference on Wednesday that China firmly opposes official exchanges between the U.S. and China's Taiwan region in any form. According to reports, U.S. President Donald Trump signed into law a bill that calls on the Department of State to regularly review U.S.-Taiwanese relations and look for ways to deepen the U.S.-Taiwan relationship.
Lin Jian clarified that the Taiwan question is at the core of China's core interests and is the first red line that must not be crossed in China-U.S. relations. The one-China principle is the political foundation of China-U.S. relations.
"The U.S. government made a clear commitment in the China-U.S. Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations—The United States of America recognizes the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal Government of China. Within this context, the people of the United States will maintain cultural, commercial, and other unofficial relations with the people of Taiwan," he said.
The spokesperson stressed that China urges the U.S. to earnestly abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiqués, approach the Taiwan question with extra prudence, stop U.S.-Taiwan official exchanges, and stop sending any wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.
This statement comes after Trump signed the bill, which aims to strengthen U.S.-Taiwan ties. China reiterates that the Taiwan issue concerns its core interests and warns that any official interactions would undermine the foundation of China-U.S. relations.
In context, the China-U.S. Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations took effect in 1979, establishing U.S. recognition of Beijing as China's sole legal government. The event highlights ongoing tensions between China and the U.S. over Taiwan.