China's Defense Ministry: US Must Halt All Official Contacts with Taiwan

The US government must stop all official communications with Taiwan and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party of the island. This was stated in a message released by China’s Ministry of Defense on Thursday.

“We are firmly opposed to any official communication between the US and Taiwan, as well as the infiltration of Taiwanese leaders into the United States under any pretext or reason. We are unequivocally against violations of the ‘One China’ principle and the three China-US joint communiqués. This applies to the US communiqué, as well as any contact with the Democratic Progressive Party,” the document states.

The announcement also mentions that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China will maintain a high level of combat readiness to safeguard national sovereignty in the Taiwan Strait. There is also a call to cease “gross interference in China’s internal affairs.”

“The People’s Liberation Army of China will resolutely carry out its mission, always maintain a high level of combat readiness, decisively protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and unwaveringly uphold peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,” the Ministry of Defense's statement concludes.

On Wednesday, US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy met with Taiwan’s premier Tsai Ing-wen, who was in the US on a transit visit. Following the meeting, McCarthy specifically highlighted the need to continue arms sales to Taiwan. According to the Associated Press, this was the first meeting between the US House Speaker and Taiwan's premier since Washington severed diplomatic ties with the Taiwanese side in 1979.