Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen visits New York as China warns the US of severe consequences 

YEREVAN (CoinChapter.com) — Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen arrived in New York on the way to her 10-day visit to friendly Central American nations, Guatemala and Belize. While she was warmly received on the streets by supporters, China warned of severe consequences should top US Officials meet her. This is Tsai’s first scheduled stop in the US. On her way back next week, she is likely to visit again, this time meet with the US House speaker. 

While details of her trip remain undisclosed, a meeting with Kevin McCarthy, the Republican Speaker of the US Congress, is on the cards. Earlier this month, reports broke alleging that McCarthy had agreed t meet Tsai in California when she visits the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library to deliver a talk. 

Should the meeting take place, it could also follow McCarthy’s visit to Taipei City. 

Despite the pressure coming from Beijing, a special banquet was organized to welcome Tsai to the US. Laura Rosenberger, chair of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) welcomed her. Moreover, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy also gave remarks at the banquet, according to CNN. 

The President of Taiwan was very vocal in thanking the US Government for “fulfilling its security commitments to Taiwan,” which includes essential arms sales to the island nation. 

While Washington does not officially recognize Taiwan, it remains its primary security guarantor.

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China asks the US not to play with fire on the Taiwan issue 

China views any official engagement with the Taiwanese authorities as “provocation”. According to China’s Chargé d’Affaires in Washington, allowing Tsai to visit the United States “seriously undermines China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), was formerly part of the Chinese empire. However, under the 1895 Treaty of Shimonoseki signed between Japan and the Chinese Ching dynasty, Taiwan ceased being a part of China. While it insists on its status as an independent country, Beijing considers it only a rebel province of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). 

“No matter [whether] it is Taiwan leaders coming to the United States or the US leaders visiting Taiwan, it could lead to another serious, serious, serious confrontation in the China-US relationship. We urge the US side not to repeat playing with fire on the Taiwan question”, 

the Chinese diplomat said. 

Although Taiwan has not confirmed that a meeting will take place, it will be a big win for Taipei if it does. The House Speaker is considered to be the third most powerful political figure in the country. According to US legislation, he is second in line to succeed in the Presidency, after the Vice President. 

A meeting with him gives legitimacy to the Taiwanese Government, which Beijing does not want.

Tensions between the United States and China have grown significantly since 2022. Former House Speaker and McCarthy’s predecessor Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in August 2022. Unhappy with the visit, Beijing conducted fresh military drills in response to Washington’s actions. 

In response, Taiwan increased its military purchases and ordered its armed forces to prepare for war. 

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Washington claims there is nothing unusual in President Tsai’s visit 

While official Beijing has raised a banner of protest to Tsai’s visit, Washington has claimed it is nothing more than a “normal, uneventful transit”. The White House has called China’s reaction an “overreaction”.

“This is a common occurrence…Other presidents of Taiwan have transited the United States. Nothing unusual about this,” 

President Joe Biden‘s national security spokesperson John Kirby said.

This is not the first time that President Tsai Ing-wen is visiting the United States. She has previously conducted six other such transit visits. As Washington maintains, this will be the 29th instance since 1994 when a sitting president of Taiwan is transiting through the US.

However, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not buying this argument. 

“The trip is not so much a ‘transit’, but an attempt to seek breakthroughs and propagate ‘Taiwan independence. The issue is not about China overreacting, but the US egregiously conniving at and supporting ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists,” 

Ministry’s spokesperson Mao Ning said. 

The much-hyped meeting between the Taiwanese President and Kevin McCarthy is likely to take place in the first week of April. It is yet unclear what severe steps Beijing will take to convey its displeasure to Washington.