Beijing has accused the US administration of escalating tensions when former US officials arrive in Taipei as part of a White House delegation to mark the 42nd anniversary of the US Taiwan Relations Act
Washington’s envoys are former Senator Christopher Dodd and two former undersecretaries of state, Richard Armitage and James Steinberg. They will hold talks with the head of the semi-recognised island republic, Tsai Ingwen, and senior national security officials, the local United Daily News reported.
“Such a meeting is not conducive to improving ties between the two sides of the Strait and stabilising the region between the two sides of the Strait”, – commented Ma Xiaoguang, Chinese government spokesman on Taiwan affairs. – “This will only increase tensions. Of course, such a meeting cannot change the fact that Taiwan is part of China.”