Beijing ''firmly opposes'' United States-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade aimed to strengthen the countries' economic and trade relations, Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesman Gao Feng said during an online briefing on Thursday.
The ministry spokesman stated that both Washington and Taiwan should adhere to the One China principle, explaining that the principle is a requirement for Taiwan to participate in foreign economic cooperation. Such agreements, according to Gao, "concern the overall situation of China-US relations as well as world peace, stability, and prosperity." The ministry spokesman emphasized that Washington should "handle economic and trade relations with Taiwan prudently," to prevent sending the wrong message to Taiwan separatists.
Despite Beijing's demands that the US does not intervene in the Taiwan crisis, Washington reaffirmed its support for Taipei, pledging to defend the country "militarily" if necessary.
