Beijing Summons European Diplomats Over Taiwan

The Foreign Ministry on Friday said it summoned diplomats from relevant European countries and the European Union to lodge solemn representations over a statement on Taiwan issued by G7 foreign ministers and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Vice Foreign Minister Deng Li lodged the diplomatic complaints.

Deng said the statement distorted the truth and represented attempts to interfere in China's internal affairs.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi also firmly refuted the G7 statement, saying it "distorts facts and confounds right and wrong".

According to Xinhua News Agency, Wang added that the international community should unequivocally oppose any act that challenges the one-China principle and resist all infringements on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries.

In their statement, G7 foreign ministers and the EU High Representative expressed concern about the live-fire exercises carried out by Beijing, and said there's no justification to use the visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taipei as what they described as a 'pretext' for the military activity in the Taiwan Strait.

Beijing has been carrying out military exercises around Taiwan.

Meng Xiangqing, a professor at National Defence University, was quoted by CCTV as saying the drills represented the PLA's closest-ever exercises to Taiwan.

Meng also said it's the first time the PLA has set up a shooting range east of the island. (RTHK, Agencies)