BEIJING (WNAM MONITORING): China on Thursday lodged a formal protest with Fiji and pressed Japan for clarification after Taipei hosted several foreign envoys, including Fiji’s ambassador to the UN, in a move Beijing says breaches the one-China principle.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said: “China has always firmly opposed any form of official exchanges between countries having diplomatic relations with China and the Taiwan region,” after Fijian diplomat Filipo Tarakinikini visited Taipei this week.
Taiwan’s top diplomat Lin Chia-lung wrote on US social media company X that he hosted UN envoys from the Marshall Islands, Paraguay, and Fiji, adding: “Grateful to our allies for supporting Taiwan’s UN participation, and look forward to strengthening friendship and cooperation with Fiji.”
Taiwan maintains formal ties with only 12 states, including the Marshall Islands and Paraguay. Fiji recognizes Beijing and has diplomatic relations with China.
“The visit by the Fijian official to the Taiwan island severely violated Fiji’s political commitment to the one-China principle. China deplores that and has protested to Fiji. The Taiwan regional authorities’ despicable acts will not succeed,” said Mao in Beijing.
Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory under the one-China policy, while Taiwan has governed itself since 1949 and insists on its own political identity.
Mao also criticized Japan for awarding the Order of the Rising Sun to Hsieh Chang-ting, the former head of Taipei’s representative office in Tokyo.
“Awarding a medal to someone who advocates ‘Taiwan independence’ raises questions about Japan’s intentions,” Mao said. “Does Japan mean to encourage and embolden separatists, and what kind of signal does it intend to send to the ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces?”
She also addressed US calls for Taiwan to be allowed full participation at next year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit hosted by China.
“China will actively fulfill its duty as the host of APEC in 2026 and ensure the smooth participation of all sides. On Chinese Taipei’s participation in APEC, I’ve clearly stated China’s stance,” she said.
A day earlier, Mao said adherence to the one-China principle “is a political prerequisite for Taiwan to take part” in APEC next year.
