- Title: China repeats one China princile is political basis after state media warns
- Date: 16th January 2017
- Summary: BEIJING, CHINA (JANUARY 16, 2017) (REUTERS) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESWOMAN HUA CHUNYING WALKING IN FOR REGULAR BRIEFING MEDIA SEATED (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESWOMAN HUA CHUNYING SAYING: "I think any person should understand that in this world there are certain things that cannot be traded or bought and sold. The one China principle is the precondition and political basis for any country in the world having relations with China. If anyone, no matter who, and with no matter what aims, attempts to damage the one China principle or if they are under the illusion they can use this as a bargaining chip, they will be firmly and widely opposed by the Chinese government, people and the international community. In the end it will be like lifting a rock to drop it on one's own feet." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS EXTERIOR OF CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY CHINESE NATIONAL FLAG FLYING
- Embargoed: 30th January 2017 09:28
- Keywords: China foreign ministry one china principle Taiwan U.S. Donald Trump Hua Chunying
- Location: BEIJING, CHINA
- City: BEIJING, CHINA
- Country: China
- Reuters ID: LVA0015ZBY5ON
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: China reiterated on Monday (January 16) that one China principle was political basis after its state media warned it would "take off the gloves" and Taiwan may be sacrificed if U.S. President-elect Donald Trump continues to provoke Beijing over the self-ruled island once he assumes office.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal published on Friday (January 13), Trump said the "One China" policy was up for negotiation. China's foreign ministry said "One China" was the foundation of China-U.S. ties and was non-negotiable.
Trump broke with decades of precedent last month by taking a congratulatory telephone call from Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, angering Beijing which sees Taiwan as part of China.
"If Trump is determined to use this gambit in taking office, a period of fierce, damaging interactions will be unavoidable, as Beijing will have no choice but to take off the gloves," the English-language China Daily said.
The Global Times, an influential state-run tabloid, echoed the China Daily, saying Beijing would take "strong countermeasures" against Trump's attempt to "impair" the One China principle.
"The Chinese mainland will be prompted to speed up Taiwan reunification and mercilessly combat those who advocate Taiwan's independence," the paper said in an editorial.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said the United States was clearly aware of China's position on "one China".
"I think any person should understand that in this world there are certain things that cannot be traded or bought and sold. The one China principle is the precondition and political basis for any country in the world having relations with China. If anyone, no matter who, and with no matter what aims, attempts to damage the one China principle or if they are under the illusion they can use this as a bargaining chip, they will be firmly and widely opposed by the Chinese government, people and the international community. In the end it will be like lifting a rock to drop it on one's own feet," Hua told media at a regular briefing in Beijing.
The Global Times said Trump's endorsement of Taiwan was merely a ploy to further his administration's short term interests, adding: "Taiwan may be sacrificed as a result of this despicable strategy".
The United States, which switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, has acknowledged the Chinese position that there is only "one China" and that Taiwan is part of it.
The China Daily said Beijing's relatively measured response to Trump's comments in the Wall Street Journal "can only come from a genuine, sincere wish that the less-than-desirable, yet by-and-large manageable, big picture of China-U.S. relations will not be derailed before Trump even enters office".
But China should not count on the assumption that Trump's Taiwan moves are "a pre-inauguration bluff, and instead be prepared for him to continue backing his bet".
"It may be costly. But it will prove a worthy price to pay to make the next U.S. president aware of the special sensitivity, and serious consequences of his Taiwan game," said the national daily. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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