China opposes Indian bid to supply submarine technology to Taiwan

BEIJING: China is opposing efforts by India and other countries to sell submarine technology to Taiwan.

Countries that supply technology to Taiwan run the risk of harming their diplomatic relations with China, Beijing said on Monday.

India, Japan and the United States are among the countries that have come forward to provide marine technology to Taiwan. A Taiwanese media outlet, Taiwan News, earlier said, "The Indian team has experience with the diesel submarines in service in the Indian Navy." It said another bid was made by a Japanese team which included retired engineers with previous experience working for Mitsubishi on Harushio-class submarines.

Replying to a question, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said the concerned countries should go by the one-China policy and refuse to form military linkages with Taiwan.

China regards Taiwan as a breakaway territory and is opposed to any country having diplomatic relations with it. But Beijing does not apply the same principal of sovereignty when it sends men and machines into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir which is claimed by India.

"China is firmly opposed to any country to have any military links with Taiwan (sic). China is consistent and clear cut. The US and other countries fully recognise the sensitivity and the danger of this issue," Hua said.

Talking about countries keen to supply submarine technology to Taiwan, Hua said, "They should prudently and properly handle Taiwan-related issues, thus avoiding harming of bilateral relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait."

Chinese President Xi Jinping recently said his government would do whatever it takes to reunify Taiwan with mainland China and would not balk at using force. Beijing does not want Taiwan to be armed with new military technology at this time.