Wang Yi, in a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, stated that “the United States should exercise caution, especially on issues touching China’s core interests such as Taiwan.” He added that recent US statements and actions “have harmed China’s legitimate rights and interests, represent an interference in its internal affairs, and do not contribute to improving Sino-American relations.” The Chinese minister emphasized that Beijing firmly rejects such behavior.
This came after remarks by Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jing during a virtual meeting with his US counterpart Pete Hegseth, warning that any attempt to use Taiwan as a means to contain China “will fail.” China considers Taiwan a part of its territory and requires any country wishing to establish diplomatic relations with it to adhere to the “One China” principle and not recognize Taiwan’s independence, a policy Washington officially upholds despite continuing to supply Taipei with weapons and maintain close ties.
Tensions around Taiwan escalated following former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the island in August 2022, to which Beijing responded with large-scale military maneuvers.
