China: The Chinese government has threatened retaliation if Taiwan President Ms. Tsai Ing-wen meets the US House speaker and urged the US not to let her transit through the country, stating it would be a “provocation.”

Ms. Tsai left Taiwan for a 10-day trip to visit Central American allies Belize and Guatemala. The trip includes two stopovers, in New York on the way in and Los Angeles on the way out.

“If she contacts US House Speaker Mr. Kevin McCarthy, it will be another provocation that seriously violates the one-China principle, harms China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and destroys peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,” Ms. Zhu Fenglian, a Chinese diplomat, told a news conference.

“We firmly oppose this and will definitely take measures to resolutely fight back,” Ms. Fenglian added.

Recently, Ms. Tsai stated that the media’s external pressure would not stop Taiwan from engaging with the world.

“Taiwan’s determination to go out into the world will only become stronger and stronger. We are calm, confident, unyielding, and non-provocative,” the Taiwan President remarked.

“When the international community needs Taiwan, Taiwan will contribute. And if Taiwan encounters difficulties, partners will also support Taiwan,” Ms. Tsai added.

The US does not recognise Taiwan as a country but is a strong supporter of its efforts to resist Beijing’s increasing efforts at military intimidation and diplomatic coercion.

The US government had previously stated that Ms. Tsai’s stopover, which is her sixth through the US since becoming president in 2016, was “normal” and warned Beijing not to use it as a pretext for aggressive behaviour.

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