In fresh warning, China says Pelosi's potential Taiwan visit 'dangerous, provocative'

China has repeated its warning against US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's expected visit to Taiwan, calling it dangerous and provocative.

Zhang Jun, permanent representative of China to the UN, in his remarks at a press briefing in New York on Monday, said the one-China principle is a red line in the country's relations with other countries, and Beijing allows no one to breach this red line. 

"China firmly opposes any separatist move toward 'Taiwan Independence' and any interference by external forces, and allows no room for 'Taiwan Independence' in whatever form," he said, while marking the start of China’s presidency of the UN Security Council for August.

"Such a visit is apparently very much dangerous, very much provocative. If such a visit happens it will also undermine the relationship between China and the United States."

The diplomat said China has repeatedly expressed its concerns to the US over Pelosi's potential visit to Taiwan as well as its firm opposition to the visit.

The visit, he reaffirmed, will send a wrong signal to the separatist elements seeking "Taiwan Independence," undermine the one-China principle and China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits and undermine the relationship between China and the US. 

It is the latest in a string of similar warnings issued by Beijing in recent days in response to reports that the 82-year-old Pelosi, a Democrat who is second in the presidential line of succession, will visit Taiwan during her regional tour on Tuesday.

Beijing says Washington will be responsible for the consequences of the visit. Washington has said that it would not be intimidated by Beijing’s warnings.  

Chinese UN ambassador emphasized that Pelosi’s planned visit to Chinese Taipei was not comparable to the last time a US House speaker visited the island claimed by Beijing in 1997.

"An early mistake does not make the following mistake legitimate," Zhang said. "Furthermore the situation in Taiwan is also changing with the support of some external forces...If we do not take appropriate, forceful action to stop it ... the situation might be even out of control."

Zhao Lijian, spokesperson of the Chinese foreign ministry, on Monday warned that if Pelosi visits the island, the country's armed forces "will not sit idly by" and will take "resolute and strong countermeasures" to protect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

MG