Sanjha Morcha

Chinese mission asks Indian media not to call October 10 ‘Taiwan National Day’

Chinese mission asks Indian media not to call October 10 'Taiwan National Day'

For representation only. File photo

Sandeep Dikshit
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, October 7

Taiwan has sent a “get lost” message to the Chinese Embassy, which has cautioned Indian journalists from calling October 10 as “National Day of Taiwan’’.

“India is the largest democracy on earth with a vibrant press and freedom-loving people. But it looks like communist China is hoping to march into the subcontinent by imposing censorship. Taiwan’s Indian friends will have one reply: GET LOST,” tweeted Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This was in reply to a “letter” from the Chinese embassy emailed to en masse to Indian journalists, “reminding” Indian journalists that there is “only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. These facts are recognised by UN resolution and constitute the universal consensus of the international community”.

“All countries that have diplomatic relations with China should firmly honor their commitment to the One-China policy, which is also the long-standing official position of the Indian government,’’ e-mail from the Chinese Embassy’s Press Section said.

It then hoped the Indian media could stick to Indian government’s position on the Taiwan question and not “violate the One-China principle”.

It went on to ask the Indian media not to refer to Taiwan as a “country” or “Republic of China”. Its leader should not be called President, “so as not to send the wrong signals to the general public”.

Earlier in June when border tensions with China were peaking, Indians living in Taiwan had come out on the streets of Taipei for the first time to thank its government for containing the COVID epidemic. The event had Taiwan government’s indirect blessings. It had nudged companies to sponsor the rally and the top local official graced the opening ceremony.

The Galwan Valley clash occurred two days after expatriate Indians gathered New Taipei City and took out a roadshow for around 120 km. At that time, this gesture was read as a riposte to China for blocking Taiwan’s presence as an Observer at the World Health Assembly, WHO’s marquee event. (EOM)