China will resolutely stop US attempts to use the Taiwan card to contain China: Wang Yi

KATHMANDU, Aug 7: Stating that Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi’s recent visit to Taiwan seriously undermined China's sovereignty, interfered in China's internal affairs, violated the commitments made by the U.S. side, and seriously jeopardized peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi maintained that China will firmly safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, resolutely stop the United States' attempt to use the Taiwan card to contain China, and firmly shatter the Taiwan authorities’ illusion to pursue Taiwan independence by soliciting the support of the United States.  In the recent press conference Yi also accused   the United States of spreading disinformation and falsehoods and said that “it is only natural that China makes a firm response.” “Our position is justified, reasonable and legal; our measures are firm, strong and measured; and our military exercises are open, transparent and professional. They are consistent with domestic and international laws, as well as international practices. They are aimed at sending a warning to the perpetrator and punishing the "Taiwan independence" forces,” Yi said.  “If the principle of non-interference is ignored and discarded, the world will return to the law of the jungle, and the United States will become even more unscrupulous in treating and bullying other countries, especially small and medium-sized countries, from a position of strength,” Yi further said. Likewise, Yi stressed that the U.S. attempt to use the Taiwan card to contain China is only wishful thinking. “It will by no means hold back the historical trend of Taiwan's return to the motherland, nor can it stop the historical process toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The "Taiwan independence" forces' attempt to seek independence by soliciting U.S. support is nothing but a fantasy, which is doomed to be a dead end, and it will only tighten the noose around their necks.” In response to the U.S. argument that a visit to Taiwan by the House Speaker is not without precedence, Wang Yi stressed that the visit of then Speaker Newt Gingrich to Taiwan was a terrible mistake, and the Chinese government vehemently opposed it at the time. “The United States has no right or reason to repeat the wrongdoing, and cannot use mistakes in the past as excuses and reasons for repeating them today. Does that mean just because the United States has committed so many wrongdoings in history, it has the right to do them all over again?” Regarding the U.S. allegation that China is changing the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, Wang Yi said that this is an out-and-out lie and groundless accusation. “Taiwan has never been a country. There is only one China in the world and both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one and the same China. This has been the status quo of Taiwan since ancient times.” Similarly, Yi called on all parties to stay highly vigilant against the reported U.S. expansion of military deployment in the region.   U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at the meetings that the United States would like to see international law observed and national sovereignty and territorial integrity upheld. In response, Wang Yi said that we haven't heard the U.S. side saying so for a long time.