WASHINGTON: The United States today [Nov 14] recognised that there was only one China, and that Taiwan was part of China. The recognition was contained in a joint Sino-American communique issued here after a four-day visit to Peking of US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. The communique said: “The United States acknowledges that all Chinese on either side of the Taiwan Strait maintain there is but one China, and that Taiwan is part of China: the United States Government does not challenge that position.” It continued, “The Chinese side reiterated that the normalisation of relations between China and the United States can be realised only on the basis of confirming the principle of one China.” — News agencies

[Meanwhile, as reported by news agencies from Peshawar,] reaffirming Pakistan’s desire for good neighbourly relations with Afghanistan, Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto declared … that no one should miscalculate the country’s determination and capability to safeguard its frontiers. Pakistan will defend its borders at every cost and any country which dared commit aggression would suffer great harm the Prime Minister told public meetings … in Malakand Agency and … Mohmand Agency. He cautioned the Afghan Government against taking any wrong decision… .

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2023