China Irked Over Growing US-Taiwan Ties, Asks Washington To ‘stop Exchange’ With Taipei

China has yet again expressed its displeasure over the growing relations between the United States and Taiwan. This time, Beijing is irked over the upcoming US-Taiwan economic partnership dialogue and has called on Washington to ‘stop exchange or contacts’ with Taipei It has further asked the US to stop elevating its relationship with Taiwan in any substantive way.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Webin, while addressing a briefing on Monday, urged the US to adhere to the one-China principle.

Later in the month, Taiwan will be sending a delegation to the US for the inaugural meeting of the US-Taiwan Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue. US Undersecretary Keith Krach, who visited Taiwan in September, will lead the delegation from the American side.

In August, the United States had declared that it was establishing a new economic dialogue with Taiwan focused on technology, energy, health care and other sectors. The Trump administration has also stepped up military support for Taiwan in recent years through increased arms sales. Meanwhile, Taiwan hoped the economic talks will result in a free-trade agreement with the United States . Furthermore, as per reports  China had also deployed fighter jets that briefly crossed the midline of the Taiwan Strait, during US Health Secretary Alex Azar’s historic visit to Taiwan in September. Taiwan’s Defence Ministry said it had tracked the PLA fighters with its land-based anti-aircraft missiles and had strongly driven them out.