China firmly opposes any form of official interaction between the U.S. and the Taiwan region, as well as any visit by "Taiwan independence" separatists to the U.S. in any name or under any pretext, a spokesperson of China's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
The spokesperson made the remarks in response to the deputy leader of the Taiwan region Lai Ching-te's planned transit through the U.S., announced by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities on August 2.
"China resolutely opposes any form of U.S. connivance and support for 'Taiwan independence' separatists and their separatist activities," the spokesperson 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, the spokesperson 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," stop sending wrong signals to the separatist forces for "Taiwan independence," and refuse to let Lai "transit" through the United States.
China will closely follow the developments and take firm and strong measures to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, the spokesperson emphasized.
The spokesperson also warned the DPP authorities that "Taiwan independence" is a dead end, "fawning on the U.S. and selling Taiwan away" will only harm the people of Taiwan, and "any attempt to seek 'independence' and make provocation in collusion with external forces is doomed to failure."
On the same day, Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, responded that Lai had stubbornly adhered to the separatist stance of "Taiwan independence," and the purpose of this visit is "to rely on the United States for independence" and "to seek for electoral self-interest."
Ultimately, it will harm the interests of Taiwan people and undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, Zhu said.
(Cover photo: China's Foreign Ministry. /CFP)