China will not tolerate separatist activities for Taiwan's freedom: Chinese Premier

Beijing: The Chinese Premier, Li Keqiang has threatened that ‘In the Taiwan issue, no tolerance will be shown towards anyone making any moves for the Taiwanese freedom, as China is firm on the issues of its sovereignty and regional unity’. Keqiang took an aggressive stand on the Taiwan issue in a meeting during the ‘National People’s Congress’ which started on Monday. Only last week the Chinese media had threatened Taiwan of war over the ‘Taiwan Travel Act’ bill, passed in the US Senate.

Premier Keqiang presented his report on various topics in the Chinese parliamentary session that started on Monday. Keqiang straightaway used a threatening tone while talking about the Taiwan issue. ‘We will be firm about the Chinese sovereignty and its regional unity. China will co-operate with Taiwan for peace and development under the principles of ‘One China’. But at the same time anyone trying for Taiwanese freedom or making any moves towards it will not be spared’, threatened Keqiang.

China claims Taiwan to be its own territory and not an independent country. The ‘One China’ Policy endorsing Chinese right over Taiwan was adopted by China and the US also had accepted it. But the current President of Taiwan ‘Tsai Ing-wen’ has taken an aggressive stand on the Chinese issue. Although, the Taiwanese President has accepted a ‘Status Quo’ with China, she has taken an aggressive stand on security issues.

US President Trump had indicated a few months ago that the US will be taking a firm stand about Taiwan. ‘The previous President had accepted China’s policy by ignoring its stance, but I will not make the same mistake,’ President Trump had warned. The Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen also visited the United States after Trump took over as the President.

Following this, the approval of the ‘Taiwan Travel Act’ in the US Senate is also seen as a part of President Trump’s aggressive and insistent policies. ‘Taiwan Travel Act’ makes it simpler for the US officials and leaders to visit Taiwan and meet their counterparts. This bill will also allow the US administration to welcome the visiting officials and leaders from Taiwan, according to the state protocol. The bill is yet to be signed by President Trump. According to sources, he will take a decision about this in a few days.

Under the circumstances, the threatening tone used by the Chinese Premier appears to be a warning for the US.