China has rejected Taiwan’s bid to become a founding member of the Beijing-led Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank, however still left the door possible to open stating that Taiwan may join the bank as an ordinary member in the future, Sputnik News reports.
According to the Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs Office, China is open to "gather more opinions" that will help to ultimately find an "appropriate name" for Taiwan joining the bank.
In response Taiwan’s cabinet spokesman Sun Li-chyun noted that the country's premier "has already asked relevant government agencies to take the necessary measures." And the final decision is expected later this week.
It is to be reminded that China considers Taiwan, the self-ruled island of 23 million people as a part of its territory and has repeatedly pledged to take it back. .