TAIPEI. Washington will begin trade negotiations with Taiwanin an attempt to show solidarity with the island nation, according to its statement US Department of Commerce. In a few hours, Beijing warned that he would take any necessary initiative to protect China’s national sovereignty.

In his statement yesterday, the Chinese President Xi Jinping criticized the planned talks, saying they give the illusion that Taiwan is pursuing an autonomous foreign policy, warning Washington to stop trying to achieve de facto independence for the island.

Speaking to Reuters yesterday, Deputy Foreign Secretary Daniel Crittenbrick, who is in charge of East Asian affairs at the State Department, suggested that Beijing’s plans to undermine Taiwan and the Chinese pressure campaign would continue without interruption. However, Crittenbrick stressed that the US policy towards Taiwan has not changed, as Washington continues to support the “one China” policy and excludes official recognition of Taiwan’s independence. “The statements and actions of K.K. China is a destabilizing factor. There is a real risk of failure, which will jeopardize peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,” said Crittenbrick.

The US Deputy Secretary of State for East Asian Affairs says Washington supports the “one China” policy.

german twist

Meanwhile, the start of Germany’s diplomatic shift towards a stronger stance on China was welcomed yesterday by Taiwan’s Chargé d’Affaires ad interim in Berlin, Xie Zhiwei. The Taiwanese diplomat, who took office in 2016, expressed hope that Berlin and its strategic partners would invite Taiwan to participate in upcoming naval exercises in the Pacific and Indian Oceans and arrange additional bilateral meetings with the German government.

Ambassador Xie welcomed Europe’s adoption of a “new path” to resolve the Taiwan crisis, welcoming European Parliament Vice President Nicola Baer’s visit to Taiwan in July. Xie said that Taipei would welcome a visit by the speaker of the German parliament to Taiwan, but acknowledged that he “is asking for a lot.” The German government has made it clear that no high-ranking state or parliamentary official will visit Taiwan.