China condemns Pelosi's Taiwan visit

TOKYO, Aug 2 (KUNA) - China on Tuesday condemned US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan in disregard of Beijing's strong opposition and serious representations, saying her visit has a severe impact on bilateral ties.
"This is a serious violation of the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-US joint communiques. It has a severe impact on the political foundation of China-US relations, and seriously infringes upon China's sovereignty and territorial integrity," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
It went on to say that the visit gravely undermines peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and sends a seriously wrong signal to the separatist forces for "Taiwan independence".
"China firmly opposes and sternly condemns this, and has made serious demarche and strong protest to the US, "There is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and the Chinese government is the sole legal government representing the whole of China," it said.
According to the ministry, in 1979, the US made a clear commitment in the China-US Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations, which stipulated that Washington recognizes Beijing as the sole legal government of China.
"Since Speaker Pelosi is the incumbent leader of the US Congress, her visit to and activities in Taiwan, in whatever form and for whatever reason, is a major political provocation to upgrade US official exchanges with Taiwan. China absolutely does not accept this, and the Chinese people absolutely reject this," it said.
It also noted that the Taiwan Strait is facing a new round of tensions and severe challenges, and the fundamental cause is the repeated moves by the Taiwan authorities and the US to change the status quo.
The US has been attempting to use Taiwan to contain China, and it constantly distorts, obscures and hollows out the one-China principle, steps up its official exchanges with Taiwan, and emboldens "Taiwan independence" separatist activities, the statement said.
The ministry also affirmed that China will definitely take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity in response to Pelosi's visit. All the consequences arising therefrom must be borne by the US side and the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.
Pelosi, who is second in line to the US presidency, arrived in Taipei late Tuesday, according to Taiwan's Central News Agency. Her visit to Taiwan was the first in 25 years by a US House speaker. (end) mk.ibi