Taiwan pushed back against threats of retaliation by China, ahead of an expected meeting between the island's president and the U.S. House speaker Wednesday that will underscore her government's claim to sovereignty.
President Tsai Ing-wen is finishing a tour of Taiwan's remaining diplomatic allies in Latin America, Belize and Guatemala. The most politically sensitive part of her trip will be a meeting with U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Los Angeles while she transits on her way back home.China views Taiwan as its own territory and treats any dealings between U.S. and Taiwanese officials as a challenge to its sovereignty.
"The reality and current situation that both sides of the Strait belong to one China is very clear," the statement said. "Taiwan, the Republic of China, is a sovereign country, and has the right to make its own determination in developing relations with other countries in the world," it said in a statement. "It does not accept interference or suppression by any country for any reason, and will not limit itself because of intimidation or interference."
Keeping up the military pressure, China's People's Liberation Army sent 20 warplanes toward Taiwan Monday to Tuesday as well as three warships in the latest round of exercises, which have increased significantly in recent years.