Chinese embassy sends note to Estonian ForMin over MPs' Taiwan remarks

TALLINN – The Chinese embassy in Tallinn has informed the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a note that they were disturbed by the participation of Estonian politicians in a reception organized in honor of Taiwan's national day last week, describing what happened as "a great regret" and remarks by the leader of the Riigikogu's Taiwan friendship group as "blatant," Postimees reported.

The Chinese embassy has reacted to speeches and actions by Estonian MPs in relation to Taiwan also in the past. 

Kristo Enn Vaga, the chairman of the Estonia-Taiwan friendship group, who spoke at the reception organized by the Taipei mission in Latvia, noted that Taiwan, like Estonia, is a society of the rule of law and democracy and a de facto independent country.

The Chinese embassy responded on Monday, listing, in addition to what had been said "blatantly" by MP Vaga, "irresponsible" remarks by Justice Minister Kalle Laanet and words said by the head of the Riigikogu foreign affairs committee, Marko Mihkelson. The embassy was also displeased by the fact that the Riigikogu covered the reception on its website.

The embassy said China firmly opposes what happened and requests the Estonian ministry to educate government officials on the sensitivity of the Taiwan question and remind them to refrain from making improper words and deeds.

"As the representative national body of Estonia, Riigikogu is obliged to follow international commitments made by Estonia as a nation. The Estonian government has also an obligation to curb Riigikogu members' improper words and deeds in accordance with its international obligation," the embassy said.

"China always respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Estonia. We hope Estonia will abide by the one-China principle, be prudent in words and actions relating to the Taiwan question, not echo or cooperate with certain countries' wrong strategy of using Taiwan to contain China with the aim to avoid further damage on the bilateral relations," the note added.

The Estonia-Taiwan friendship group in the Riigikogu includes 16 MPs from all political parties represented in the parliament.