The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a U.N. aviation agency, has snubbed Taiwan by not inviting it to its assembly that is scheduled to be held in Canada from Sept. 27 to Oct. 7. The move is seen as the United Nation's (UN) tacit recognition of the 'One China' principle, which states that China and Taiwan are part of one nation.

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"ICAO follows the United Nations' 'One China' policy," the agency's communications chief, Anthony Philbin, told Reuters in an email.

The ICAO said that the 2016 assembly, which would be held in Montreal, did not follow the same pattern as the 2013 meeting in when China agreed to Taiwan's participation in the assembly.

Miffed with the ICAO's decision, Taiwan warned China of serious repercussion but did not elaborate on what actions it would take.

"We solemnly call on China to open its heart and think seriously as it may face serious consequences for its one-sided actions," Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said in a statement.

China, on the other hand, has welcomed the decision, reiterating that Taiwan needs to recognize the 'One China' Principle.

"At present, our position is extremely clear. The prerequisite for Taiwan to participate in any international activity is for it to agree to the 'One China' policy and for this to be resolved through consultation," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said at a regular news briefing.

Lu added that Taiwan's participation in the 2013 assembly was based on a "temporary arrangement."

Cross-Strait ties have been going downhill ever since Taiwan's pro-independent leader Tsai Ing-wen took office in May. Tsai, who is Taiwan's first-ever female president, had set the tone for Cross-Strait relation by conspicuously skipping any mention of the 'One China' principle in her inaugural speech.

Taiwan separated from China in 1949 following a bitter civil war on the mainland. However, China has never recognized Taiwan as a separate nation and considers it a wayward province that is waiting for unification.      

TagsTaiwan, china, Cross-Strait relation, One China principle