Move FM Global News

BEIJING, China: China has said that it was “seriously concerned” by the plans of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen to meet with US officials and has asked Washington for clarification.

The move comes after Reuters reported that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy will meet Tsai in the US in the coming weeks, instead of his anticipated but sensitive trip to the democratically governed island claimed by China.

This week, Bloomberg reported that McCarthy has confirmed plans to meet Tsai in the US this year, and stressed this will not preclude a later visit to Taiwan.

Taiwanese presidents, including Tsai, have transited through the US en route to other countries, but US government officials have generally avoided meeting senior Taiwanese officials in Washington.

In a brief statement, Taiwan’s presidential office said that “transit arrangements” had been in place for many years, but it did not directly refer to the US.

“At present, various departments are communicating and preparing for relevant plans, and the planning of the related itinerary will be explained in a timely manner after the plan is finalized,” it added.

Meanwhile, speaking in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said, “We have lodged solemn representations with the US side and asked them to clarify.”

China has repeatedly rebuffed Tsai’s calls for talks since she took office in 2016.

This week, China’s foreign minister said Taiwan was the “first red line” that must not be crossed in Sino-US relations.

The US has no formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but is bound by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself.

Taiwan has been a constant source of tension between Beijing and Washington.