China’s Foreign Minister Qin Gang made strong statements at the Lanting Forum in Shanghai on Friday, reiterating China’s stance on Taiwan and dismissing accusations of disrupting peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
Qin emphasized that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to China, and it is China’s right and proper duty to uphold its sovereignty over the island. He criticized recent rhetoric accusing China of upending the status quo and engaging in hegemonic bullying, calling it absurd and dangerous.
“It is not the Chinese mainland, but the Taiwan independence separatist forces and a handful of countries attempting to disrupt the status quo,” Qin stated. “Those who play with fire on Taiwan will eventually get themselves burned.”
Qin’s comments came in the wake of China’s military exercises around Taiwan, which were held after Taiwan’s president, Tsai Ing-wen, returned to Taipei following a meeting in Los Angeles with U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy. China considers Taiwan to be its own territory, a claim that Taiwan’s government strongly rejects.
Qin also discussed other topics at the Lanting Forum, including debt and the global economy. He emphasized China’s commitment to responsible economic practices and cooperation with other countries for mutual benefit.
“China’s development is not a threat to anyone, but an opportunity for everyone,” Qin said. “We will continue to pursue win-win cooperation and work towards a more prosperous and peaceful world.”
Qin’s remarks at the Lanting Forum reflect China’s unwavering stance on Taiwan, asserting its sovereignty and rejecting accusations of disrupting peace and stability in the region. As tensions continue to simmer between China and Taiwan, and with the involvement of other countries, the situation in the Taiwan Strait remains a complex and contentious issue with far-reaching implications for regional security and stability.
