China urged India on Thursday to handle Taiwan issues with caution and avoid interference in the improvement of Sino-India relations. This came in following the opening of another Taiwan de facto consulate in Mumbai.
China opposes moves by any countries it has ties with to engage in official contacts with Taiwan, said Mao Ning, a foreign ministry spokesperson, at a regular news conference.
Taiwan’s Third Consulate In India
The Taiwanese government opened its third representative office in India on Wednesday, Taiwan’s official Central News Agency reported. This is an addition to its existing offices in New Delhi and Chennai.
The opening came amid ongoing efforts from China and India to ease tensions and resolve conflicts on their Himalayan frontier, which is a point of contention that has strained their bilateral ties.
China’s Claims On Taiwan
China, which views democratically-governed Taiwan as its own territory, staged a new round of war games around the island earlier this week.
Taiwan’s government rejects China’s sovereignty claims and Beijing’s claim of the right to speak for and represent the island on the international stage
“China has lodged solemn representations with the Indian side,” Mao said.
“The one-China principle is a serious political commitment made by the Indian side and the political foundation of Sino-Indian relations.”
China urges India to strictly abide by its commitments, handle Taiwan-related issues prudently and properly, and refrain from conducting any form of official exchanges with Taiwan, she added.
China’s War Games
China said that its military drills on Monday were a warning to “separatist acts” following last week’s national day speech by Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te.
Taiwan has for the past five years complained of almost daily Chinese military activities around the island. This includes at least four rounds of major war games and regular “joint combat readiness patrols”.
“They are increasing the building up of their capacity to turn military exercises into a conflict,” the official said at a briefing in Taipei, requesting anonymity to be able to speak more frankly.
(with inputs from Reuters)
