In a firm response to recent events, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian declared that attempts to use the Taiwan question to contain China are destined to fail. Speaking at a daily news briefing on Friday, Lin addressed the recent “stopovers” in Hawaii and Guam by Lai Ching-te, leader of the Taiwan region, and criticized the United States for facilitating these visits.
“The United States insisted on arranging Lai’s ‘stopovers,’ conducting official exchanges, and assisting Taiwan in expanding its so-called ‘international space,'” Lin said. “This provides a platform for ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist activities.”
Lin emphasized that such actions by the U.S. seriously violate the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiqués. “These moves undermine China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, sending a gravely wrong signal to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces. China strongly deplores this and has made serious démarches to the U.S. side,” he stated.
The spokesperson reaffirmed the importance of the one-China principle as the political foundation of China-U.S. relations and a basic norm in international relations. “The Taiwan question is the first red line that cannot be crossed in China-U.S. relations. Cross-strait peace and stability and ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist activities are irreconcilable like water and fire,” Lin remarked.
He urged the United States to adhere strictly to the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiqués. “We call on the U.S. side to act on its leaders’ commitments of not supporting ‘Taiwan independence,’ stop official interactions with the Taiwan region, and cease condoning and supporting ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces and their activities in any form,” Lin said. He added that concrete actions are needed to stabilize China-U.S. relations and safeguard peace across the Taiwan Strait.
Concluding his remarks, Lin stressed the futility of seeking U.S. support for ‘Taiwan independence’ and using the Taiwan question to contain China. “No one should underestimate the strong resolve, firm will, and robust capability of the Chinese government and people to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he warned.
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Spokesperson: Scheme to contain China with Taiwan question will fail
cgtn.com
