China urges the U.S. to handle Taiwan issue with caution

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Europe

00:37

China's Foreign Ministry and Ministry of National Defense both responded to the U.S. Navy ships' recent crossing of the Taiwan Strait, urging the U.S. to abide by the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-U.S. Joint Communiqués and cautiously handle the Taiwan issue.

U.S. military officials have confirmed to the media that two U.S. warships passed through the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday, making it the third time this year.

"The ships' transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” U.S. Pacific Fleet said in a statement. "The U.S. Navy will continue to fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows."

It said the passage was carried out by the destroyer USS Stockdale and the Pecos, a replenishment vessel.

China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang said at a regular meeting on Thursday that China has expressed concern to the U.S.

He said the Taiwan issue is a matter of China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and is the most important, most sensitive core issue in China-U.S. relations, and involves China's core interests.

"We urge the U.S. to abide by the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-US Joint Communiqués, and cautiously and appropriately handle the Taiwan issue to avoid damaging to Sino-U.S. relations and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," he said.

Also on Thursday, China's Ministry of National Defense said that China's People Liberation Army was fully aware of the U.S. action, and has monitored the passage of the U.S. ships and will continue to maintain a high degree of alert.