China urges Australia to abide by its political commitments

The Chinese Embassy in Australia on Thursday criticized a statement issued by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), saying it distorted facts and confused right and wrong, urging Canberra to abide by its political commitments on Taiwan.

On Wednesday, DFAT issued a statement expressing concern over the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA)'s recent military exercises around China's Taiwan island.  

In response, China strongly deplored and firmly opposed the statement and has lodged solemn representations with the Australian side, the spokesperson of the Chinese embassy said on its official website.  

The spokesperson said the United States recently announced a large-scale arms sale to Taiwan in violation of the one-China principle, the three China-U.S. joint communiques and commitments made by the U.S. leaders. Such moves embolden "Taiwan independence" separatist forces to seek independence through military buildup and external support, turning Taiwan into a "powder keg" and an "ammunition depot," the spokesperson added.  

The spokesperson stressed that "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and external interference are the biggest unilateral actions altering the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. The massive and desperate arms purchases by "Taiwan independence" separatist forces further reveal their true nature as provocateurs, saboteurs of peace and war-mongers, which deserves condemnation from all sides, the spokesperson said.

Reiterating that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, the spokesperson said the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair and tolerates no external interference.  

The relevant military drills of the PLA are a serious warning to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and external interference forces, and are legitimate actions to safeguard China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the spokesperson added.

The embassy also noted that the one-China principle is the political foundation of China-Australia relations.

China strongly urges Australia to abide by its political commitments, stop interfering in China's internal affairs, cease condoning "Taiwan independence" separatist activities, and create a favorable environment for the healthy and stable development of China-Australia relations, the statement said.