China seethes at US laws on Taiwan, Tibet
BEIJING: China expressed anger on Monday after US President Donald Trump signed into law measures to further bolster support for Taiwan and Tibet, which had been included in a $2.3 trillion pandemic aid and spending package.
The Taiwan Assurance Act of 2020 and Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2020 both contain language objectionable to China, including US support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in United Nations bodies and regular arms sales.
On Tibet, which China has ruled with an iron fist since 1950, the act says sanctions should be put on Chinese officials who interfere in the selection of the exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama’s successor.
Speaking in Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said China was “resolutely opposed” to both acts. “The determination of the Chinese government to safeguard its national sovereignty, security and development interests is unwavering,” he told reporters. The US should not put the parts of the acts which “target China” into effect in order to avoid harming Sino-US relations, he said, adding they were an interference in China’s internal affairs.
In Taiwan, which China claims as its sovereign territory to be taken by force if needed, the government welcomed the US move. “The United States is an important ally of Taiwan’s internationally, and a solid partner for sharing the values of freedom and democracy,” Presidential Office spokesman Xavier Chang said.
China begins trial of ‘Hong Kong 12’ fugitives The trial in China of a group of Hong Kong pro-democracy activists who tried to escape the city by speedboat for sanctuary in Taiwan opened on Monday, as the US urged the immediate release of dissidents it says “fled tyranny”. Ten of the so-called “Hong Kong 12” were in court in the southern city of Shenzhen facing charges linked to an illegal border crossing.
Chinese authorities took them into custody after their boat was intercepted on August 23.
The hearing began as scheduled on Monday afternoon, AFP understands, and was likely to run into the evening, although it was not immediately clear when the verdict would be delivered.
Court officials stayed tightlipped about the case and the trial - like many in China’s opaque legal system - was not open to foreign reporters or diplomats.