China irked over growing US-Taiwan ties, asks Washington to 'stop exchange' with Taipei

China has yet again expressed its displeasure over growing relations between United States and Taiwan. This time, Beijing is irked over upcoming US-Taiwan ecomic partnership dialogue and has called on Washington to 'stop exchange or contacts' with Taipei It has furr asked US to stop elevating its relationship with Taiwan in any substantive way.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Webin, while addressing a briefing on Monday, urged US to adhere to one-China principle.

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"China consistently opposes official exchanges between US and Taiwan region. We urge US to adhere to one-China principle and three China-US joint communiques, stop all forms of official exchanges and contacts with Taiwan, stop elevating its relationship with Taiwan in any substantive way, prudently and properly handle Taiwan-related issues, and send misleading signals to Taiwan separatist forces, so as to avoid serious dam to China-US relations, peace and stability across Taiwan Strait," Wang said.

Growing US-Taiwan relations

Later in month, Taiwan will be sending a delegation to US for inaugural meeting of US-Taiwan Ecomic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue. US Undersecretary Keith Krach, who visited Taiwan in September, will lead delegation from American side.

In August, United States had declared that it was establishing a new ecomic dialogue with Taiwan focused on techlogy, energy, health care and or sectors. Trump administration has also stepped up military support for Taiwan in recent years through increased arms sales. Meanwhile, Taiwan hoped ecomic talks will result in a free-trade agreement with United States.

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China increases military drills in Taiwan

China considers Taipei as a breakaway province and has maintained that it wouldn't mind using force to claim it. It has furr accused Washington and Taipei of promoting independence. In order to gain power over Taiwan, China has increased its military drills around island nation in recent times. With around 40 Chinese warplanes crossing median line between mainland and Taiwan on September 18 and 19, island's President Tsai Ing-wen called move a 'threat of force'.

Furrmore, as per reports  China had also deployed fighter jets that briefly crossed midline of Taiwan Strait, during US Health Secretary Alex Azar's historic visit to Taiwan in September. Taiwan's Defence Ministry said it had tracked PLA fighters with its land-based anti-aircraft missiles and had strongly driven m out.

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(With ANI inputs)