China warns Pacific Islands diplomat not to sour ties over Taiwan

BEIJING, Aug 11: China warned a top Pacific Islands diplomat to "avoid affecting the healthy and stable development of ties" on Tuesday, after he said Taiwan would attend an annual meeting of the regional bloc's leaders.
The island was barred from the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting last year after protests from Beijing, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory.
Baron Waqa, the forum's secretary-general, told reporters last Friday that Taipei would attend this year.
"China urges the Pacific Islands Forum secretary to strictly adhere to the one-China principle, properly handle Taiwan-related issues and avoid affecting the healthy and stable development of ties between China and the Forum," Beijing's foreign ministry said Tuesday in response to an earlier AFP question about the matter.
China opposes the self-governed island's participation in international organisations and exchanges with other countries.�" AFP