China condemns US envoy's visit to Taiwan, says it will encourage 'separatist forces'

Following anuncement of senior US State Department official's visit to Taiwan for a memorial service of former Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui, China slammed move as encouraging “separatist forces” on island that it considers a breakaway province. According to reports, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters that China ‘strongly opposes’ high-level visit by US Secretary for Ecomic Affairs Keith Krach to Taiwan on September 19 because according to China, it will ‘encour arrogant attitude of Taiwan independence separatist forces’. 

According to official press release, Krach’s three-day visit would include a meeting with Taiwanese President  Tsai Ing-wen and or nation’s officials and he will also be highest-level official from State Department to visit island in deces. His visit also follows high-profile visit in August of US Health Secretary Alex Azar, who was highest-level US Cabinet official to visit since a break in formal ties between US and Taiwanese government in 1979 when US accepted ‘one-China policy’ with Beijing as its government.

press statement re, “Under Secretary of State for Ecomic Growth, Energy, and Environment Keith Krach will travel to Taiwan to attend memorial service for former President Lee Teng-hui on September 19, 2020. United States hours President Lee’s legacy by continuing our strong bonds with Taiwan and its vibrant democracy through shared political and ecomic values”. 

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Krach to participate in ecomic dialogue with Taiwan

Krach will be participating in an ecomic dialogue with Taiwanese government. He will also attend memorial service for Taiwan’s former President, who led island’s transition to democracy and who died in July. Meanwhile, Krach’s trip has alrey been condemned by Beijing, as y view self-governing Taiwan as a part of its national territory and oppose official interaction of any sort between or countries and island. Earlier this week, Wenbin h urged US to stop all forms of official exchanges with Taiwan, so as to avoid serious dam to China-US relations and peace and stability across Taiwan Strait. 

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