China has sharply condemned the "transit" of Taiwan's chief of staff through U.S. territory

China condemns the organization in the United States of the "transit" of Taiwan's chief of staff Lai Qingde through its territory and opposes any such contacts, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on December 1.

Qingde's trip, which runs from Nov. 30 to Dec. 6, was previously reported by Focus Taiwan. It began with a two-day transit stop in Hawaii. The Taiwanese chief executive will then visit the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu, make another stop in Guam and arrive in Palau.

"China strongly opposes any form of official contacts between the U.S. and Taiwan, opposes Taiwan authorities being sent to the U.S. on any pretext or basis, and strongly opposes the U.S. supporting in any form the supporters of "Taiwan independence" and their separatist activities. "China strongly condemned the US organization of Lai Qingde's 'transit' and made a stern representation to Washington," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement on its website.

The ministry noted that the Taiwan issue lies at the core of Beijing's core interests and is a red line in Sino-US relations that cannot be crossed.

In this regard, the ministry urged Washington to stop such contacts and sending "false signals to Taiwanese separatists", as well as to observe the principle of "one China". Beijing intends to closely monitor the development of events and, if necessary, to take decisive measures to protect the sovereignty of the country, emphasized the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Earlier, on November 24, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said that the United States was using Taiwan to foment conflict in Asia in order to realize its interests. The diplomat noted that the situation in Taiwan is within the exclusive competence of the PRC. However, Washington, in violation of the principle of "one China" recognized by itself, strengthens military and political contacts with Taipei.

Prior to that, on November 17, Chinese President Xi Jinping said at a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden that the United States should not interfere in the South China Sea disputes and the Taiwan issue. He urged Washington to respect Beijing's red lines.