China steps up criticism of Yoon’s comments on Taiwan

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The Chinese Embassy in Seoul in April 2020 half-masts a Chinese national flag to mourn the Covid dead. [PEOPLE’S DAILY]

China on Monday reiterated its call for South Korea to adhere to the “One China” policy amid a growing diplomatic row between the two neighbors over Taiwan. The two countries have exchanged harsh words since President Yoon Suk Yeol last week voiced his opposition to any attempt to forcibly change the status quo of the Taiwan Strait. The Chinese Embassy in Seoul issued a statement, reminding South Korea that it recognizes the government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China and respects China’s position that Taiwan is part of China. The embassy stressed that these were solemn commitments made by South Korea when the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992 and formed the political basis for the development of bilateral relations. He warned against interfering in China’s internal affairs through the Taiwan issue, which he said is purely China’s internal affairs and the first red line not to be crossed. The statement came as President Yoon traveled to Washington for a six-day state visit, during which he will hold a summit with US President Joe Biden. In an interview with Reuters, he said rising tensions around Taiwan were due to attempts to change the status quo by force. He also said that the Taiwan issue is not just a China-Taiwan issue, but a global issue like the North Korea issue. China immediately slammed Yoon, accusing him of meddling in its “internal affairs”. Foreign Minister Qin Gang went so far as to warn on Friday that those who “play with fire” in Taiwan would end up being burned. South Korea summoned the Chinese ambassador to Seoul on Thursday to protest Beijing’s “rude” remarks and “diplomatic rudeness”.

Yonhap

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