RT.com
04 Aug 2022, 15:43 GMT+10
Germany needs an ?active policy? which would go beyond the ?outdated? One-China principle, Taiwan's de-facto ambassador claims
Taiwan's de facto ambassador to Berlin has invited German MPs to visit Taipei, claiming that Germany's adherence to the "One-China policy" is "outdated."
In an interview with the Tagesspiegel newspaper, published in the wake of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's controversial visit to Taiwan, Jhy-Wey Shieh proposed that "a Bundestag delegation headed by the Parliament's president" visit the island.
"That would not come from the parliamentary groups, but from the Bundestag - as an independent legislative body that represents the people and is not under the government," Taiwan's representative said. He added that the delegation could meet with the island's leader Tsai Ing-wen and the parliamentary speaker.
The visit by Nancy Pelosi, the third most senior official in the US government, has infuriated China, which considers Taiwan an integral part of its territory. Beijing has pledged to "take necessary and resolute countermeasures" and is now conducting large-scale military drills in several areas around Taiwan. Shieh said the drills bear "the greatest potential for military conflict" since the Third Taiwan Strait crisis of 1996.
Taipei's representative also insisted that "the old assumption" that Germany has to stick to the "One-China policy" to prevent China from tampering with the status quo should be revised. In his view, Germany needs "an active China and Taiwan policy that goes beyond that." Like Washington, Berlin officially considers Taiwan part of China, but maintains unofficial ties with the island.
At the end of last year, the Bundestag passed a resolution calling on the government to review its Taiwan policy in order to deepen exchanges with Taiwan, but ruled out the possibility of establishing diplomatic relations with the island.
On Wednesday, Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock confirmed that the government would continue to adhere to the "One China policy." Speaking in Canada, the minister stressed that "the status quo in the Taiwan Strait can only be changed peacefully and with the mutual consent of all parties involved." Commenting on the situation around Pelosi's visit to Taipei, Baerbock echoed the G7 statement, accusing Beijing of "threatening military gestures."
The day before, Baerbock warned China against escalating tensions with Taiwan and said Germany would assist Taipei in case of a conflict with Beijing.
Meanwhile, China has warned that those who follow the US example by "playing with fire" will pay the price. At a press briefing on Tuesday, Chinese Ambassador to London Zheng Zeguang said British politicians should refrain from talking about "helping Taiwan defend itself," or visiting the island. Such actions, he said, "will inevitably lead to severe consequences for China-UK relations."
Taiwan has been self-governed since 1949, when China's nationalist government fled to the island following its defeat in the civil war. Beijing has repeatedly warned that the One China principle is a red line.
(RT.com)
Get a daily dose of The UK News news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to The UK News.
More InformationNEW YORK, New York - U.S. stock markets traded sideways on Tuesdays as investors weighed up the impact U.S. Preident Donald Trump's...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: A drop in mortgage rates and more housing inventory helped drive a surge in mortgage activity at Bank of America...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: U.S. President Donald Trump said this week he would work to see federal funding end for news outlets NPR and PBS....
LONDON/NEW YORK CITY: A cup of coffee could soon cost you a lot more. Roasters worldwide are warning of double-digit price hikes as...
NEW YORK, New York - Industrial stocks advanced while the tech sector was under considerable prressure Monday as Liberation Day, approaches....
BERLIN/DETROIT: Automakers worldwide are bracing for the impact of sweeping new U.S. tariffs that could reshape global vehicle production...
Manchester City's manager Pep Guardiola applauds supporters after the English Premier League match against Arsenal in London, Britain,...
Players of Arminia Bielefeld pose for photos after winning the German Cup football semifinal match against Bayer Leverkusen in Bielefeld,...
(250402) -- MADRID, April 2, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Eduardo Camavinga (L) of Real Madrid vies with Kubo Takefusa of Real Sociedad during...
(250402) -- CAIRO, April 2, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Yasir Mozamil (top) of Al-Hilal competes during during the Confederation of African Football...
Madrid [Spain], April 1 (ANI): A host of world-class sporting stars are set to descend upon Madrid for the 2025 Laureus World Sports...
Washington DC [US], April 1 (ANI): A docu-series covering the legal drama between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni and their narratives,...