China threatens relations with Israel over Jerusalem Post article with Taiwan official

China has condemned a Jerusalem Post interview with Taiwan Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu and threatened to "downgrade" relations with Israel if the interview is not deleted. 

During an interview published Monday with JPost reporter Yaakov Katz, Wu sounded the alarm that China is preparing to invade Taiwan following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Wu said that "Israel has been a role model in the last few decades" for the small island country, but he also warned that Israel needs "to be very careful" and not trust China.

Later that day, Katz said the Chinese Embassy in Israel called him to tell him to "take down the story or they will sever ties with the [Jerusalem Post] and downgrade relations with the State of Israel."

Standing firm, Katz added, "Needless to say, story ain't going anywhere."

Wu responded to the threat via Twitter. 

"Can't imagine what kind of rogue diplomat dares threaten the great state of #Israel, its media independence & freedom. Or perhaps the expansion of authoritarianism has no upper bound & forbidden zone after all?" the foreign minister wrote.

On Wednesday, Katz published a letter he received from the Chinese Embassy with the caption: "Just when I thought it was over, this comes via email. Thank you China for the note, but let me clarify that respect - as you ask for - does not  include ignoring hard truths and telling stories about Taiwan to the world."

The letter stated that the Chinese Embassy in "Israel expresses firm opposition and strong condemnation against The Jerusalem Post for publishing an 'exclusive interview' of Joseph Wu, a 'Taiwan Independence' separatist, to spread separatist noises in total disregard of the Embassy's objection."

The embassy stressed that the "Taiwan question" is an "internal affair that allows no external interference."

The Communist country stressed that efforts "will never succeed" to create "two Chinas," to interfere with China's internal affairs or to obstruct China-Israel relations.

"We demand The Jerusalem Post to respect China's core interests and the Chinese people's national sentiments, refrain from being manipulated by 'Taiwan Independence' forces and foreign anti-China forces, and take real actions to eliminate the egregious impacts of the interview and contribute to China-Israel relations," the embassy concluded.

Taiwan has been heightening its defense measures against China as Beijing is increasing its military activities near the island.

On Tuesday, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said her military is "planning cooperation" with the U.S. National Guard.