China urged the U.S. to abide by the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-U.S. joint communiques, fulfill its commitment on not supporting "Taiwan independence" separatists and stop sending wrong signals to the separatist forces for "Taiwan independence," Mao Ning, spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, said on Monday at a regular briefing.

It was reported that Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party official Lai Ching-te is to make a stop in the U.S. on the way to visit Paraguay next month.

China firmly opposes any form of official exchanges between the U.S. and Taiwan, and it is strongly opposed to "Taiwan independence" separatists traveling to the U.S. under any name and for any reason, Mao said. "China resolutely opposes the U.S. side conniving with and supporting 'Taiwan independence' separatists and their secessionist acts in any way, and China has lodged solemn representations to the U.S. side," she added.

Noting that the Taiwan question is at the core of China's core interests and the first red line that must not be crossed in China-U.S. relations, Mao emphasized that China will closely monitor developments and take resolute and strong measures to defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity. 

(Cover photo: China's Foreign Ministry /CFP)