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Taipei, April 4, 2024 – In a recent development, Taiwan has openly criticized China, labeling its actions as “shameless” after a Chinese diplomat expressed gratitude on behalf of Taiwan for the global support following a significant earthquake.
The statement was made by China‘s Deputy Permanent Representative to the U.N., Geng Shuang, who thanked the international community for its sympathy towards “China‘s Taiwan” after the earthquake that struck eastern Taiwan, causing the death of 10 individuals.
According to Reuters, China, which views Taiwan as part of its territory, attempted to extend condolences and offer aid to Taiwan in the aftermath of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake. However, Taiwan‘s response was far from welcoming.
The island’s foreign ministry rebuked China for using the natural disaster as a means to assert its claim over Taiwan and engage in what Taipei considers to be psychological operations against it.
The tension arises from China’s longstanding claim over Taiwan, despite the latter’s separate governance and democratic system. Beijing’s efforts to represent Taiwan on international platforms have been a source of irritation for Taipei, which has its own elected government and foreign relations.
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Taiwan‘s foreign ministry has expressed its displeasure, stating that China‘s actions demonstrate a lack of goodwill towards Taiwan. It also highlighted that Taiwan has already received messages of concern and offers of support from various governments and leaders, notably from the United States, which remains Taiwan‘s staunchest international ally despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties.
This incident underscores the complex relationship between China and Taiwan, dating back to 1949 when the Republic of China government relocated to Taiwan following a civil war defeat. Since then, Taiwan has operated as a separate entity, with its own government and international relations, a reality that Beijing refuses to acknowledge.
The recent earthquake and the ensuing diplomatic spat have once again brought to light the fragile and contentious nature of cross-strait relations, with Taiwan asserting its sovereignty and rejecting China‘s overtures of aid and sympathy.
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