China Reacts to India's Taiwan "Clarification," Urges Adherence to One-China Principle

On Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning addressed the situation regarding India's stance on Taiwan. She stated that the Indian side's "clarification" on the matter came as a surprise to China.

The Chinese readout of the meeting between Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar indicated that India had acknowledged Taiwan as part of China. However, Indian government sources later stated that the external affairs minister had been misquoted. They clarified that India's position on Taiwan remained unchanged, emphasizing its focus on economic, technological, and cultural ties with the island.

Mao Ning commented that China had released its own account of the talks. She expressed China's surprise at India's subsequent "clarification," deeming it inconsistent with the facts. She suggested that some individuals in India might be attempting to undermine China's sovereignty on the Taiwan issue and hinder the progress of China-India relations.

Mao Ning reiterated China's position, emphasizing the one-China principle and Taiwan's status as an integral part of China's territory. She highlighted that this view is widely accepted by the international community, including India. She concluded by expressing China's hope that India will adhere to the one-China principle, handle sensitive issues appropriately, and foster the stable development of bilateral relations.