China rejects allegations leveled by Mike Pence about Taiwan, election meddling

China has once again warned the United States against interfering in Taiwan-related issues, urging Washington to respect Beijing’s policies regarding the island.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, hit back at allegations leveled by US Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday, calling on Washington “to earnestly abide by the one-China principle…prudently and properly handle Taiwan-related issues and work with China in opposing and restraining 'Taiwan independence' forces.”

Vice President Pence accused Beijing of threatening “the stability of the Taiwan Strait,” by putting pressure on the island’s allies to sever their ties with Taipei and embrace China.

Speaking at a think tank and research center in Washington DC – Hudson Institute –  Pence urged Beijing to follow what he described as “Taiwan’s embrace of democracy,” calling the move as “a better path for all the Chinese people.”

“There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory,” Hua said, adding that “Taiwan independence” forces and their separatist activities pose the gravest threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

Beijing claims sovereignty over Taiwan, calling the self-ruled island as “an inalienable” part of its territory. Almost all countries recognize that sovereignty under a policy known as “One China.” The US, too, recognizes Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan, but it has long courted Taipei in an attempt to counter China.

Only late last month, the US State Department approved the proposed sale to Taiwan of spare parts for military aircraft worth up to 330 million dollars.

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Beijing strongly objected to the provocative move by the administration of President Donald Trump, calling on Washington to cancel the contract.

China has constantly warned the US over its relations with Taiwan. But the Trump administration has bolstered ties with Taipei. Trump signed an act that encourages high-level visits between the US and Taiwan, despite Beijing’s strong opposition. His administration also approved $1.4 billion in arms sales to Taiwan last year and is now opening a new de facto embassy in a suburb of Taipei.

China rejects ‘ridiculous’ US election meddling allegations

During his speech on Thursday, Pence also launched broad attacks on China, accusing Beijing of trying to undermine Trump and harm his chances of winning re-election.

He claimed that “Beijing is pursuing a comprehensive and coordinated campaign to undermine support for the President.”

“To put it bluntly, President Trump’s leadership is working. China wants a different American President,” Pence cited unnamed US intelligence agencies, but offered no evidence to back up his claims, which were branded as “ridiculous” by Beijing.

Hua said the vice president “slandered China by claiming that China meddles in US internal affairs and elections.”

“This is nothing but speaking on hearsay evidence, confusing right and wrong and creating something out of thin air,” she added.

Recent allegations made by Pence seem to be adding new tensions to the already troubled ties with China. The two sides have been engaged in a bitter trade dispute since early this year by imposing tariffs on each other products. The escalating dispute is spilling tensions into the military domain, analysts warn.

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