Post Tsai Ing-wen's U.S. stopover, China reiterates 'firm opposition' to U.S.-Taiwan engagement

Reacting to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen's meeting with U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and Governor Greg Abbott, China has reiterated its "firm opposition" to the U.S-Taiwan diplomatic engagement.

"I want to reiterate that we are firmly opposed to the Taiwan leader's contact with any US officials in any form and engagement in actions that disrupt and undermine China-US relations during the so-called transit," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said at a press briefing on Monday.

He urged all relevant people from the U.S. to abide by the one-China policy and the principles of the three Joint Communiques while advising them to "cautiously handle Taiwan-related issues so as not to harm the overall interests of China-US relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits."

The Taiwanese President met the U.S. officials while passing through the state on her way to Nicaragua, Salvador and Guatemala.

"This is not about the PRC [People's Republic of China]. This is about the US relationship with Taiwan, an ally we are legally bound to defend. 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," Cruz said in a statement after meeting Tsai Ing-wen.

Cruz said he and Tsai discussed "arms sales, diplomatic exchanges and economic relations", and that he hoped to increase trade between Texas and Taiwanese markets.

In a separate statement, Abbott said the issues discussed with Tsai were energy, trade relations and commercial ties between Taiwan and Texas.