Beijing hits out at Washington for ‘playing Taiwan card’ after US warships sail through strait

Mainland’s Taiwan affairs chief says Taiwanese people ‘should clearly understand the real purpose behind these US moves’

South China Morning Post 
Date:  08 July, 2018

Beijing’s top Taiwan affairs official hit out at the United States on Sunday for playing the “Taiwan card” amid heightened tensions over trade, a day after two US warships passed through the Taiwan Strait.

Mainland Chinese analysts said the move could be part of Washington’s broader efforts to contain Beijing.

Liu Jieyi, director of the mainland’s Taiwan Affairs Office and China’s former ambassador to the United Nations, said the US had been using this “card” for some time with a clear purpose, Taiwan’s Central News Agency reported.

“We staunchly oppose any move that harms China’s national interest. We won’t accept that,” Liu was quoted as saying on the sidelines of a forum on cross-strait ties in Hangzhou. “The Taiwanese public should clearly understand the real purpose behind these US moves and not help them to play the ‘Taiwan card’.”    [FULL  STORY]