China reiterates rejection of Taiwanese leader's possible meeting in United States

Havana, April 4 (RHC) China reiterated today its rejection of the possible meeting of the leader of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen, with the speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, considering it a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Mao Ning, spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, deplored the arrangement to hold that meeting tomorrow, and demanded that Washington respect the fundamentals of bilateral ties by not allowing official contacts with Tsai.

He called on the White House to deny the Taiwanese leader transit through his territory, after warning that Beijing will closely monitor every moment of the situation and will proceed with a decisive response in defense of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

China last week protested, anticipating "firm countermeasures" if Tsai Ing-wen meets US politicians when she returns from the Central American trip.

Its military has been deployed near Taiwan for days with state-of-the-art aircraft, warships, equipment and weaponry engaged in massive, live-fire, high-intensity exercises.

Experts quoted by the local press assured that the troops are preparing an operation similar to the one carried out last August, when Nancy Pelosi, McCarthy's predecessor, was in Taipei. They even have contingency plans ready to react according to what the Taiwanese leader says and does at her American stop.

Tsai already made a stop on North American soil on March 30, and will make another on April 5 while traveling to and from Belize and Guatemala. That trip comes after Honduras broke more than 80 years of ties with Taipei on March 26 and established them with China.

Since 2017, El Salvador, Panama, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and five other nations in the world have taken that step, leaving Taiwan with only 11 territories that recognize it. (Source: Prensa Latina)