Taiwan rejects Thai-China statement, says it undermines its sovereignty

Taiwan’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has rejected a joint statement issued after Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul met Chinese leader Xi Jinping, saying the statement endorsed Beijing’s claim that Taiwan is part of China.

According to Taiwan News, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said Taiwan opposed China’s use of international meetings to undermine its international status.

He also expressed regret that Thailand had adopted Beijing’s position.

File photo: Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung//AFP

The statement was issued after Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing during his official visit to China last week.

The joint statement said Thailand reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the One-China policy, recognised the government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government representing the whole of China, recognised Taiwan as an inalienable part of China, firmly supported China's peaceful reunification, and would not support any calls for Taiwan's independence.

Thailand also supported China’s "One Country, Two Systems" policy.

According to Taiwan News, Taiwan’s foreign ministry rejected as false the wording stating that Thailand supported Beijing’s "One Country, Two Systems" policy, saying it undermined Taiwan’s sovereignty.

The ministry said Taiwan is a sovereign and independent country and that Taiwan and China are not subordinate to each other.

Taiwan News quoted the ministry as accusing Beijing of using joint statements with other countries to spread false claims and alter the cross-strait status quo.

Asked whether the statement could affect visa-free travel between Taiwan and Thailand, Lin said Taiwan sets visa policies based on reciprocity and equal treatment.

He noted that the two sides maintain close economic ties and frequent people-to-people exchanges.

Taiwan urged Thailand to value their long-standing relationship and stop supporting Chinese pressure against Taiwan.

The ministry warned that Beijing’s expansionist actions threatened regional peace and could eventually affect countries that accommodated its demands.