'Taiwan has no right to join United Nations,' China lashes out at US
Story highlights
The US proposing more involvement of Taiwan in the United Nations does not make sense for Beijing as the Xi Jinping government considers Taiwan as a part of China
Adding on to the already existing tension between the two governments, China has now claimed that Taiwan has no right to join the United Nations.
China’s displeasure with the probability of Taiwan getting a seat in the United Nations General Assembly came after the US said that Taiwan should have more involvement in the United Nations.
"As the international community faces an unprecedented number of complex and global issues, it is critical for all stakeholders to help address these problems. This includes the 24 million people who live in Taiwan," US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken said.
"Taiwan's meaningful participation in the UN system is not a political issue, but a pragmatic one. That is why we encourage all UN member states to join us in supporting Taiwan's robust, meaningful participation throughout the UN system and in the international community," Blinken added.
However, this angered China who do not consider Taiwan as an independent country. As per China, Taiwan is a province that needs reunification, even if it means by force.
The US proposing more involvement of Taiwan in the United Nations does not make sense for Beijing as the Xi Jinping government considers Taiwan as a part of China. "Taiwan has no right to join the United Nations," Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office in Beijing, told reporters. "The United Nations is an international governmental organisation composed of sovereign states... Taiwan is a part of China."
This statement by China has come at a time when Taiwan and China have been on a verbal war for some time now. Recently, it had also been revealed that China is trying to build psychological pressure on Taiwan by sending warplane flights in the air defense identification zone of Taiwan.
The US, however, is sticking to its opinion. "Taiwan has become a democratic success story," Blinken said. "We are among the many UN member states who view Taiwan as a valued partner and trusted friend."
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has also thanked the US officials for his support. "Grateful for #US support for expanding #Taiwan's international participation," she said on Twitter.