9.10.20

Free media here: India taunts China on Taiwan

In a dig at China, India said Thursday there’s a free media here that reports “as it sees fit”. The remark by the spokesperson followed China’s appeal to the Indian media this week to follow One-China policy.

“There is a free media in India that reports on issues as it sees fit,” external affairs ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said at a media briefing.

The Chinese embassy spokesperson on Thursday tweeted that Taiwan was an inalienable part of China’s territory. India does not have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan. “One-China policy is int’l universal consensus & longstanding position of #Indian govt, which China appreciates. It’s wishful thinking to seek any ‘Taiwan independence’,” tweeted the spokesperson.

“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,” said the spokesperson in a letter to the Indian media. This was after advertisements by Taiwan government in a couple of Indian papers.

Meanwhile, Taiwan foreign minister Joseph Wu scoffed at Beijing’s advice. “India is the largest democracy on Earth with a vibrant press & 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!” he said in a tweet.

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