China blasts India over Taiwan trade deal as Beijing warns army is ‘ready to strike’

Taiwan and India were reportedly set to start negotiating a trade agreement. In turn, China urged India to engage with Taiwan “prudently and properly” as it would “firmly oppose” official discussions between both sides.

When asked about the reported India-Taiwan discussions at a daily briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said: “There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory.

“The one-China principle is the universal consensus of the international community, including India, and it is also the political basis for China to develop relations with any country.

“China firmly opposes any form of official exchanges between any country that has diplomatic ties with Taiwan, and the signing of any agreement of an official nature.

“The Indian side should strictly abide by the one-China principle and handle the Taiwan issue prudently and properly.”

His warning comes as tensions between China and India escalate in the border region of Ladakh.

Despite the introduction of a five-point consensus, India and China have ramped up their military drills in preparation for a potential clash in the region.

Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of the Global Times, posted a warning to India on Twitter claiming the PLA was “ready to strike a heavy blow to Indian troops”.

The editor also shared a video of PLA troops in a military exercise, before detailing increased Chinese military drills.

The official said: “Tibet affairs are purely China’s internal affairs, and no external forces are allowed to interfere.

“The establishment of the so-called ‘Special Coordinator for Tibetan Affairs’ by the United States was entirely out of political manipulation and aimed to interfere in China’s internal affairs and undermine Tibet’s development and stability.

“China has always resolutely opposed this and has never recognised it, and has lodged solemn representations with the US.”

He labelled the “so-called ‘Tibetan government in exile’” as a “separatist political organisation” that is “organised and has a program that vainly seeks to achieve ‘Tibet independence.’”

source: express.co.uk