A Chinese mainland official condemned Lai Ching-te, deputy leader of China's Taiwan region, for his remarks on Saturday that bluntly support "Taiwan independence."

Lai attacked the mainland and recklessly said to "seek independence through force" at the 2024 Taiwan leadership candidate debate.

The actions that China puts forth against "Taiwan secessionist" are iron-hard, said Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, adding that China determination to solve the Taiwan issue and to realize national reunification is firm. 

Chen also slammed the Democratic Progressive Party authorities. They've obstinately stuck to a "Taiwan independence" stance, escalating the tense and volatile situation across the Straits and pushing Taiwan toward the brink of war since taking leadership of the Taiwan region, Chen said.

Both the mainland and Taiwan belong to one China, the spokesperson stressed, saying he hopes cross-Straits relations could go back to the right track of peaceful development through negotiations and communication.

(Cover: File photo of Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council. /Xinhua)