China Urges US to Advance Healthy Relations

(MENAFN) China on Tuesday appealed to the United States for the "sound" advancement of mutual relations following reports that Washington refused a transit stop in New York for the Taiwanese leader.

During a press briefing in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun emphasized China’s opposition, stating, "China firmly opposes any form of official interaction between the US and the Taiwan region. Firmly opposes any trip by leader of the Taiwan authorities to the US in any name or under whatever pretext."

According to a news outlet, the Trump administration declined permission for William Lai Ching-te to pause in New York during his scheduled trip to Central America next month.

Lai had intended to pass through the US in August while heading to Paraguay, Guatemala, and Belize — nations that officially acknowledge Taiwan.

However, Lai's spokesperson, Hsiao Kuang-wei, speaking to journalists in Taipei, dismissed suggestions of any "postponement, cancellation" of the planned journey.

He also refuted claims that the US had denied the transit, clarifying that there was no official rejection of permission for Lai’s stopover.

China’s Guo Jiakun reiterated the importance of the US adhering to the one-China policy and the three joint communiqués between China and the US.

He urged Washington to "jointly work" with Beijing in order to "promote the sound, steady, and sustainable development of China-US ties."

When questioned about President Donald Trump's remark that he was not pursuing a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Guo responded succinctly: "Refer to the readouts released by the Chinese side."

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