Can't be subordinate to China: Taiwan after Bangladesh opposes its independence

Taiwan has strongly rebuked Bangladesh over its remarks in a China-Bangladesh joint statement, saying it was a sovereign country and not a subordinate to China. Following a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Bangladesh interim government head Muhammad Yunus in Beijing on March 28, the two countries issued a joint statement, in which they opposed 'Taiwanese independence' and backed the 'one China principle'.

Reacting to the joint statement, Taipei has said that remarks that distort Taiwan's status cannot change the internationally recognised status quo across the Taiwan Strait. In a statement, the Taiwanese Foreign Ministry said that Taiwan is a sovereign and independent country and cannot be a subordinate to China.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent country and is not subordinate to the People's Republic of China. Any statement that distorts Taiwan's sovereign status cannot change the internationally recognised status quo across the Taiwan Strait," the statement read, referring to the official names of Taiwan and China.

"The government will firmly defend national sovereignty and dignity, and jointly safeguard the values of democracy and freedom, regional peace, stability and development with like-minded friendly nations," it said.

The Taiwanese Foreign Ministry urged Bangladesh to strengthen bilateral economic and trade cooperation "with a pragmatic and open attitude and make active contributions to promoting democracy, peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region".

On March 28, Yunus and Xi held a meeting in Beijing as part of the former's three-day visit to China.

China considers Taiwan as a breakaway province and has insisted that countries cut ties with Taiwan and recognise the 'One China' policy, meaning that there is only one China with Beijing as its capital. Beijing has vowed to reunify Taiwan with China by force if necessary.

In the Chinese Foreign Ministry statement, Xi stressed that China and Bangladesh should continue to deepen their mutual trust and firmly support each other on issues related to core interests and major concerns of both nations.

(with inputs from ANI)