Taiwan Strait Tensions: Thailand Urges All Parties To Exercise Utmost Restraint

BANGKOK, Aug 3 (Bernama) -- Thailand urged all parties to exercise utmost restraint and to resolve differences through peaceful means amid rising tension in Taiwan strait after United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit. Director-General of the Information Department and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tanee Sangrat said Thailand is closely following developments regarding the situation in the Taiwan Strait with much concern. “Thailand stands by the One China Policy. “We do not wish to see any actions that would aggravate tensions and undermine peace and stability in the region. We hope that all parties concerned exercise utmost restraint, abide by international law and principles of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and resolve their differences through peaceful means,” he said in a statement today. Tensions escalated rapidly in the Taiwan Strait with China, the United States and Taiwan increasing military deployment in the region following Pelosi’s visit. Despite weeks of warning from Beijing over the visit, Pelosi arrived in Taiwan late Tuesday, becoming the highest-ranking elected US official to visit the self-ruled island in 25 years. China, which claims sovereignty over Taiwan, has strongly protested against Pelosi's visit. -- BERNAMA