China protests Ted Cruz’s meeting with Taiwan president
January 9, 2017, 10:37 pm

Cruz, who lost against Donald Trump for the GOP nomination, criticized China for trying to dictate who he ca and cannot meet [Xinhua]

Texas Senator Ted Cruz met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-Wen on Sunday after she transited in Houston on her way to Central America.

“We are firmly opposed to the Taiwan leader’s engagement with US officials under the pretext of transit, and her attempt to undermine China-US relations,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told reporters.

He urged the US to abide by the “One China policy” and “prudently handle” Taiwan-related issues.

“We urge the United States and relevant people to stick to the one-China policy and the three China-US joint communiques, and carefully handle issues related to Taiwan, in order not to harm China-US relations and cross-Strait peace and prosperity,” Lu added in statements carried by Chinese press.

Cruz, who was a major candidate for the Republican nomination during the US primary elections, said in a statement that they discussed arms sales, diplomatic exchanges and economic relations, but also blasted Chinese diplomats for asking him to cancel the meeting.

“Furthering economic cooperation between our two nations must be a priority; increased access to Taiwanese markets will benefit Texas farmers, ranchers and small business owners alike,” he said in a statement following the meeting.

The senator went on to reveal he received a “curious letter” from the Chinese consulate asking him to uphold the “One China Policy” and cancel his meeting with Tsai.

Under the “One China Policy”, Beijing has asked the US not to have formal government meetings with Tsai.

Beijing has also asked Washington to bar Tsai from flying through US airspace.

“The People’s Republic of China needs to understand that in America we make decisions about meeting with visitors for ourselves,” Cruz said.

“The Chinese do not give us veto power over those with whom they meet. We will continue to meet with anyone, including the Taiwanese, as we see fit.”

China considers the One China policy to be the political foundation which determined China-US ties and has in the past four decades helped create a stable and healthy relationship between the two powers.

The BRICS Post with inputs from Agencies