Ambassador Zhang Jun: Pelosi’s potential visit to Taiwan is dangerous and provocative |
2022-08-01 20:35 |
On August 1, Ambassador Zhang Jun, Permanent Representative of China to the UN, briefed the press on the programme of the work of the Security Council for the month of August in his capacity of the President of the Security Council for this month. Ambassador Zhang elaborated on China’s positions on the Taiwan question and US House Speaker Pelosi’s potential visit to the region. Ambassador Zhang said that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. The one-China principle is a red line in China’s relations with other countries, and we allow no one to cross this red line. China firmly opposes any separatist move towards “Taiwan Independence” and any interference by external forces, and allows no room for “Taiwan Independence” in whatever form. Ambassador Zhang pointed out that recently China has repeatedly made clear to the US its serious concerns over Speaker Pelosi’s potential visit to Taiwan as well as China’s firm opposition to it. Such a visit is apparently dangerous and provocative. It will send a seriously wrong signal to the separatist elements seeking “Taiwan Independence”, undermine the one-China principle, undermine China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, undermine the peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits, and undermine the relationship between China and the US. China is fully prepared to respond. If the US insists on making the visit, China will take firm and strong measures to safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the US has to bear all the serious consequences arising thereof. Ambassador Zhang said that the Taiwan question bears on China’s core interests and is the most important and sensitive issue in China-US relations. We noticed that in his July 28 phone call with President Xi, President Biden reiterated that the one-China policy of the US has not changed and will not change, and that the US does not support “Taiwan Independence”. We urge the US to honor its words, earnestly follow the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, and work with China to resolutely oppose and contain “Taiwan Independence”. In response to questions comparing Pelosi’s potential visit with the visit by the then US House Speaker Gingrich in 1997, Ambassador Zhang pointed out that a previous mistake does not make the following mistake legitimate. In recent years, due to the influence of some external forces, the situation in Taiwan has changed for the worse, and the “Taiwan Independence” elements are moving down on the wrong path. Without prompt containment measures against them, the situation may risk losing control. The Chinese Government and people are determined in safeguarding our national sovereignty and territorial integrity. We will take every necessary measure. |