Signalling far nearer ties with Russia amid the deepening Ukraine war, China on Tuesday stated that the US which requires respecting the sovereignty of Ukraine also needs to recognise its claims over Taiwan.

China views Taiwan as a breakaway province which is able to in the future unite with it. Beijing has not dominated out the doable use of power to reunify the self-ruled island with the mainland.

“The Taiwan question is at the very core of China’s core interests, the bedrock of the political foundation of China-US relations, and the first red line that must not be crossed in China-US relations,” Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang stated whereas addressing his first annual press convention on the sidelines of the Parliament session.

The US speaks of the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, why not honour China’s sovereignty, he stated asserting that Taiwan is an integral a part of China.

Questioning Washington’s repeated calls to Beijing to not provide weapons to Russia, Qin stated “why does the US talk at length about respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine while disrespecting China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity on the Taiwan question?” 

Flaunting the Chinese Constitution, claiming that the self-governing island Taiwan is a part of it, Qin requested “why does the US ask China not to provide weapons for Russia while it keeps selling arms to Taiwan? Why does the US keep on professing the maintenance of regional peace and stability while covertly formulating a plan for the ‘destruction of Taiwan’?” Qin stated.

Last week, the US accepted extra arms gross sales to Taiwan, together with USD 619 million price of munitions for F-16 fighter jets. The US is Taiwan’s principal provider of army tools, and China has objected to previous gross sales with sanctions and different punitive actions.

On China’s method to reunifying Taiwan with the mainland, Qin, who was appointed China’s overseas minister in December final yr, stated “we will work with the greatest sincerity and exert utmost efforts to achieve peaceful reunification, but will reserve the option of taking all necessary measures,” with out instantly mentioning the army possibility.

In January, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken cautioned China in opposition to altering the established order in Taiwan. He stated that, over the previous few years, China has been attempting to construct army and financial strain on Taiwan which is important to sustaining peace and stability within the area.