China military tells US will 'never compromise' on Taiwan

AFP | Tokyo                                                            

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Chinese military officials told US counterparts at talks this week that Beijing will "never compromise" on the issue of Taiwan and urged them to stop "provocative actions" in the South China Sea, the defence ministry said yesterday.

China "stressed that it will never compromise or back down on the Taiwan issue", the ministry said in a readout of the talks in Washington, held Monday and Tuesday, urging the United States to "stop arming Taiwan".

"China urged the United States to reduce its military deployment and provocative actions in the South China Sea and stop supporting violations and provocations by individual countries," the statement continued.

"The United States should fully understand the root causes of maritime and air security issues, strictly rein in its frontline troops, and stop with the exaggeration and hype," it added.

"The Chinese side also elaborated its solemn position and major concerns on issues involving China's core interests and international hotspot issues," it said.

President Joe Biden and Xi Jinping agreed in November to restart military talks between the countries, put on hold for more than a year.