Exchange of messages on X between PM Modi and Taiwan President angers China

Chinese foreign ministry said Beijing opposes all official interactions between the Taiwan authorities and countries having diplomatic relations with it.

China on Thursday protested to India over an exchange of messages between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, saying that it opposes all interactions between Taiwanese authorities and countries having diplomatic ties with Beijing.

There is but one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People’s Republic of China, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said.

China on Thursday protested to India over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s social media statement that he looked forward to having closer ties with Taiwan, insisting that New Delhi should resist Taiwan authorities’ “political calculations.” China views Taiwan as a rebel province that must be reunified with the mainland, even by force.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he looks forward to closer ties with Taiwan in a social-media post responding directly to the island’s newly-elected president.

Modi thanked Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, who had congratulated him on X on his third straight election victory. Lai had touted the “fast-growing” India-Taiwan partnership which, he said, would contribute to peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.

In his reply posted on X, Modi said: “Thank you @ChingteLai for your warm message. I look forward to closer ties as we work towards mutually beneficial economic and technological partnership”. Responding to the messages, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China has lodged a protest with India on this.

First of all, there is no President in the Taiwan region, Mao said, when asked for her comments at a media briefing here. “On this question, China opposes all forms of official interactions between Taiwan authorities and countries having diplomatic relations with China,” she said.