Beijing: China’s foreign minister on Sunday warned the Biden government to withdraw the “dangerous practice” of former President Donald Trump showing his support for Taiwan, which the democratic island Beijing claims as its territory.
Taiwan’s claim, which was separated from the mainland in 1949, is a “inaccessible red line”, Wang Yi told a news conference during the annual meeting of China’s formal legislature.
The United States does not have official relations with Taiwan, but has extensive informal ties. Trump harassed Beijing by sending cabinet officials to visit Taiwan in a display of support.
“The Chinese government has no room for agreement,” Wang said.
“We urge the new US administration to fully understand the high sensitivity of the Taiwan issue” and “completely replace the previous administration’s dangerous practices of crossing the line and playing with fire,” he said.
President Joe Biden says he wants a more civilized relationship with Beijing, but has shown no signs of easing Trump’s confrontational measures on trade, technology and human rights. Polls show that the American public’s attitude towards China is becoming more negative, seen as an economic and strategic competitor.
Wang gave no indication of how Beijing might react if Biden does not change course, but the ruling Communist Party has threatened if Taiwan declares its formal independence or to join the mainland Delays negotiations for
Wang’s comments at the two-hour press conference echoed Beijing’s growing outspokenness abroad and its disapproval of criticism on Hong Kong, the northwest Xinjiang region and other sensitive issues.
Wang defended the proposed changes in Hong Kong that would strengthen Beijing’s hold by reducing its public role in government. He dismissed claims that upon his return to China in 1997 erred the autonomy promised to the former British colony.
The changes announced on Friday were followed by months of government protests leading to the arrest of 47 pro-democracy people in Hong Kong under the National Security Act imposed last year.
Wang said Hong Kong needed to protect “change in government from chaos”.
The proposal would give the pro-Beijing committee a bigger role in electing pro-Beijing lawmakers. This would be a significant reduction in Western-style democracy and civil liberties in Hong Kong. Mainland officials say they want to ensure that the area is controlled by people controlled by patriots.
“No one cared more for the development of democracy in Hong Kong than the central government.” He said the change would “protect the rights of Hong Kong residents and the legitimate interests of foreign investors.”
Also on Sunday, Wang dismissed complaints that the genocide treatment of predominantly Muslim ethnic minorities in Xinjiang, Beijing.
Human rights investigators say that more than one million people, many of them Uighur minority members, have been sent to detention. Chinese officials say they are trying to curb extremism.
“Wang said that the alleged existence of the massacre in Xinjiang is absurd. It is a complete lie, fabricated with the intention of vomiting.” He attributed the “anti-China forces”, adding that he “wants to reduce Xinjiang’s security and stability and hinder China’s growth and development.”