Africa -China Review Africa -China Cooperation and Transformation
Published:August 09,2022
By Staff writer
On his visit to South Africa, on August 7, the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken tried to justify the recent visit to Taiwan by the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Ms. Nancy Pelosi as “peaceful.” The statement comes after many countries condemned the visit as US administration’s blatant violation of China’s sovereignty and a serious violation of the US government’s commitment to the one-China policy.
During the visit to South Africa, Blinken said that, “the issue of Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan is China’s overreaction to a US lawmaker’s “peaceful” visit, which the Chinese side responded with military exercises.” In a statement issued by the Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in South Africa, related to Blinken’s utterances, it was stated that, “her visit to and activities in Taiwan {Pelosi’s}, in whatever form and for whatever reason, is a serious violation of the US government’s commitment to the one-China policy and a major political provocation to upgrade US official exchanges and substantive relations with Taiwan. She was flown in a military aircraft and escorted by US Navy ships for what she acknowledged herself as an official visit. The so-called “unofficial visit” and “peaceful visit. The so-called “unofficial visit” and “peaceful visit” argued by the US side is self-deceptive and preposterous.”
The statement further said that, Pelosi’s illegitimate visit to Taiwan has grossly infringed on China’s sovereignty, interfered in China’s internal affairs, violated the commitments made by the US side, and jeopardized peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits. China has made it clear many times that we are firmly opposed to Pelosi’s visit. We had warned the US side that if it continued to go down the wrong path, it would have to bear all the consequences arising therefrom. The US made a malicious provocation first, and China has been compelled to act in self-defense. The false accusation of “overreaction of the Chinese side” is nothing but a despicable way of distorting facts and shifting blames.
All the countermeasures taken by the Chinese are justified, necessary and appropriate. The series of military countermeasures carried out by the Chinese military in waters near the island of Taiwan is necessary and legitimate to deter the “Taiwan independence” separatist forces and safeguard China’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Relevant Chinese authorities have issued safety alerts and navigation warnings in advance, which are in line with domestic law, international law and international practice. Meanwhile, China has announced a series of countermeasures against the US side, including sanctions against Pelosi herself and her immediate family members. The US, as the deliberate perpetrator of this crisis, and Pelosi, as the troublemaker, should and must take full responsibility for this.
China’s measures are also necessary for upholding regional peace and stability as well as international law and basic norms governing international relations. If China does not firmly oppose the irresponsible and provocative actions by the US, the purposes of the UN Charter, such as respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and other basic norms governing international relations will be reduced to nothing but words on paper. And the vast developing world, which account for over 80% of the world’s population, could well become the next target anytime.
This is a fight against hegemony, against interference and against secession. And the people of the world are clearly aware of this. It is for this reason that more than 170 countries have so far uttered their just voices, reaffirming their adherence to the one-China policy and their support for China’s resolute efforts to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity. This fully demonstrates that what a just cause is can receive the support of many around the world, concludes the statement by the Chinese embassy Spokesperson in South Africa.
