China Warns Indian Media Not To Refer To Taiwan As A ‘Country’; Taiwan Says ‘Get Lost’

New Delhi: The Chinese embassy urged Indian media to desist from referring to Taiwan as a “country”, and follow “one-China” norm. That left Taiwan fuming.

In an e-mail to journalists in India, including those in Reuters, the Chinese embassy said, “Regarding the so-called forthcoming ‘National Day of Taiwan’, the Chinese Embassy in India would like to remind our media friends that there is only one China in the world, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing the whole of China.”

In a veiled warning, the Chinese embassy further stated: “We hope Indian media can stick to Indian government’s position on Taiwan question and do not violate the ‘One China’ principle. In particular, Taiwan shall not be referred to as a ‘country (nation)’ or ‘Republic of China’ or the leader of China’s Taiwan region as ‘President’, so as not to send the wrong signals to the general public.”

Slamming China for its directive to the Indian media, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu tweeted: “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!”

China was irked after leading Indian newspapers carried advertisements by Taiwan’s government celebrating the island’s national day. The ad included a picture of  President Tsai Ing-wen and “hailed India, a fellow democracy, as a natural partner of Taiwan.”

China claims Taiwan as its own territory, while Taiwan considers itself to be a sovereign nation.