European countries are criticizing China's threatened countermeasures against the head of the Czech Senate after he voiced support for Taiwan.
Czech Senate President Milos Vystrcil has been leading a delegation to Taiwan. He met with President Tsai Ing-wen on Thursday.
Earlier this week, China's foreign minister said Vystrcil and the Czech delegates will pay a "heavy price" for the visit.
Beijing claims that democratically ruled Taiwan is its territory under the "one China" principle.
(Wang Yi / Chinese Foreign Minister)
"We must tell the Czech Senate speaker that he has crossed a red line."
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas expressed his frustration over China's reaction.
(Heiko Maas / German Foreign Minister)
"We treat our international partners with respect. We expect the same from them, and threats have no place here."
◆countermeasure 対抗措置 an action taken to prevent another action from having a harmful effect
◆cross a red line 越えてはならない一線を越える