Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning reaffirmed Beijing's position on Taiwan during a press briefing Monday, declaring that 'complete reunification is inevitable' and warning against attempts to leverage foreign support for 'independence.' The remarks came in response to reports about the Taiwan region's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities' efforts to establish institutions abroad using 'Taiwan' instead of 'Taipei' in their names.
Mao emphasized that the one-China principle remains 'a universally recognized norm in international relations,' underscoring that the People's Republic of China is 'the only legitimate government representing the whole of China.' The spokesperson criticized DPP authorities for allegedly using 'economic, trade, and cultural exchanges as guise' to challenge international consensus on cross-strait relations.
'Taiwan has never been a country. It never was, and never will be,' Mao stated, reiterating China's opposition to any nation with diplomatic ties to Beijing engaging in official exchanges with Taiwan authorities. The comments highlight escalating tensions as China maintains that cross-strait unity remains non-negotiable.
Analysts observe that the statement aligns with Beijing's broader strategy to counter what it perceives as Taiwan's 'international space expansion' efforts. Recent months have seen increased diplomatic competition, particularly in the Pacific and Southeast Asia, where several governments maintain ties with both Beijing and Taipei.
