China urges ROK to exercise caution on Taiwan question, South China Sea issue

A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Monday urged the ROK to exercise caution on the Taiwan question and the South China Sea issue and take practical actions to maintain the overall situation of China-ROK relations.

Noting that the ROK has held deputy foreign ministers' consultations and defense ministers' meetings recently with the U.S. and Japan respectively, and made erroneous remarks regarding the Taiwan question and the South China Sea issue, the spokesperson said such acts have grossly interfered in China's internal affairs, maliciously smeared and attacked China, and seriously violated China's sovereignty and core interests.

"China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposes such acts, and has lodged stern representations with the ROK side," said the spokesperson.

The spokesperson stressed that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory and that the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair, which brooks no external interference.

The one-China principle is the anchor of peace across the Taiwan Straits, as well as the prerequisite and foundation for China to establish and develop relations with all other countries, the spokesperson said.

Anyone who keeps claiming to maintain peace across the Taiwan Straits, but fails to mention adhering to the one-China principle and opposing "Taiwan independence" is conniving with the separatist forces seeking "Taiwan independence" in essence, which will only impact peace and stability across the Straits, the spokesperson said.

"No one shall underestimate the strong determination of the Chinese people to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, or imagine that they could step on or even cross the line on the Taiwan question without paying any price," the spokesperson said.

China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nanhai Zhudao (the South China Sea Islands), and sovereign rights and jurisdiction over relevant waters, said the spokesperson, adding that the situation in the South China Sea has remained generally stable under the joint efforts of China and ASEAN countries.

The spokesperson said the responsibility for the recent escalation concerning the South China Sea issue between China and the Philippines lies fully with the Philippine side.

China will continue to firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and remain committed to properly handling maritime disputes and differences through negotiation and consultation with countries directly concerned based on respecting historical facts, said the spokesperson.

Noting that the ROK, Japan and the U.S. are not parties to the South China Sea issue, the spokesperson said that they should not intervene in the issue. 

The ROK side ignores China's firm opposition and repeatedly makes irresponsible remarks with the U.S. and Japan on the Taiwan question and the South China Sea issue, which is not conducive to the development of China-ROK relations, the spokesperson added.