China reacts strongly to ex-Japanese PM's op-ed comparing Taiwan to Ukraine

Reacting strongly to an op-ed article recently published in Los Angeles Times, written by former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe over Taiwan issues, consul General Zhang Ping sent a letter to publication and reiterated that "Taipei City is an integral part of China". According to letter sent to Times, consulate termed op-ed will only instigate confrontation between two major countries. Notably, statement came after Abe mentioned Taiwan and Ukraine in same breath and said time h come for United States to make clear that it would defend Taiwan. article was published on April 23 in Los Angeles Times.

In letter, consulate said that situations in Taiwan and Ukraine cannot be compared. "Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, where People's Republic of China is sole legal government. This One-China Principle is explicitly stated in both joint communiqués for establishing China-U.S. and China-Japan diplomatic ties," re letter. It stressed that root cause of tension in Taiwan Strait is that Taiwan authorities refuse to recognise One-China Principle and ded "some external forces" have condoned and abetted growth of separatist forces for "Taiwanese independence." 

"This gravely violates basic norms of international relations and puts peace and stability across Taiwan Strait in serious jeopardy," it said. 

" Taiwan question concerns China's core interests of sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is entirely China's internal affair, allowing no foreign interference. Chinese people's resolve to defend our sovereignty and territorial integrity remains firm. We will strive for prospect of peaceful reunification with utmost sincerity and every effort," it ded. It is worth mentioning that "war of words" came ahe of Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi's visit to US. He will meet his American counterparts Lloyd Austin next month. According to a report by Kyodo News, both ministers will discuss ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine and are also expected to hold a closed-door meeting on China's aggressive actions against Taiwan.

Know more about Taiwan and China's ongoing tension

Taiwan h split from China during civil war that brought Mao Zedong's Communist Party to power and established People's Republic of China in 1949. While Communist Party gained control of Chinese mainland in 1949, Kuomintang-ruled government of erstwhile Republic of China set up its government in Taiwan (officially called Republic of China). Although regions have been governed separately for more than seven deces, Communist Party continues to claim sovereignty over Taiwan. Beijing has, on several occasions, stepped up military exercises around self-ruled Taiwan, which it considers its own territory under One China policy.

(Image: AP)