China supports Spanish unity

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Europe

China has voiced its support for the Spanish government's efforts to maintain national unity after the Catalan regional parliament declared independence last Friday.

Shortly after the announcement, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy sacked Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont and his government and announced new elections would take place in the region on December 21.

Mossos d'Esquadra, Catalan regional police officers, stand guard outside the Generalitat Palace, the Catalan regional government headquarter in Barcelona, Spain, October 30, 2017. /Reuters Photo

The Spanish Senate approved the application of Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution, which suspends the autonomy of Catalonia and hands control of key Catalan institutions to Madrid.

"China's stance on this issue is consistent and clear. China regards this as a Spanish domestic affair and understands and supports the Spanish government's effort to maintain national unity, ethnic solidarity and territorial integrity," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said during a press briefing in Beijing.

"China opposes moves to split the country and breach the rule of law and believes Spain is capable of protecting social order and citizens' rights within the legal and institutional framework," she said.

China has developed friendly cooperation with Spain in various areas based on the principles of respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity and non-interference in domestic affairs, Hua added.

Source(s): Reuters ,Xinhua News Agency