Photo: VCG

China firmly opposes any form of official interaction between the US and the Taiwan region and firmly opposes any visit by “Taiwan independence” separatists to the US in any name or under whatever pretext, Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Sunday as the country deplores and strongly condemns the US decision to arrange a so-called “stopover” for deputy leader of Taiwan region Lai Ching-te in the country.  

Lai Ching-te clings stubbornly to his separatist position for “Taiwan independence”. He is a troublemaker through and through. The US and the Taiwan authorities arranged for Lai to engage in political activities in the US in the name of having a “stopover”, the ministry’s spokesperson said in a statement. 

This seriously violates the one-China principle, gravely undermines China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The fact once again shows that the fundamental cause of the continued tensions in the Taiwan Straits is the Taiwan authorities’ attempt to solicit US support for “Taiwan independence” as the US remains bent on using Taiwan to contain China, the spokesperson said. 

Lai arrived in New York on Saturday as a transit stop en route on a state visit to Paraguay, Politico reported. His first stopover will only be about 24 hours and Lai will leave New York City on Sunday to attend the inauguration of Paraguay’s new president, Santiago Peña Palacios, the report said. 

Lai will get another transit overnight in San Francisco on Tuesday on his way back to Taiwan, Politico added. 

The Taiwan question is the core of the core interests of China, the bedrock of the political foundation of China-US relations, and the first red line that must not be crossed in China-US relations, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in the statement. 

We urge the US to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués, deliver on its commitment of not supporting “Taiwan independence” or “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan,” stop all forms of official interaction with Taiwan, stop conniving at and supporting “Taiwan independence” separatist forces and their separatist activities and stop undermining and hollowing out the one-China principle, the statement read. 

China is closely following the developments of the situation and will take resolute and strong measures to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, it said. 

One day before Lai’s planned "stopover" in the US, more than 600 people from 60 political parties and civil organizations held a rally on Ketagalan Boulevard in Taipei, protesting against his secessionist provocations which may ratchet up tensions across the Taiwan Straits. They called on the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities to recognize the 1992 Consensus and seek peace and development with the Chinese mainland.

The Chinese Consulate General in New York also voiced strong opposition on Sunday toward Lai’s “transit” in New York on his way to Paraguay, saying that the outrageous acts of flattering the US and betraying Taiwan and Taiwan compatriots will never succeed.

The US is using underhanded measures to obscure and hollow out the one-China principle, using salami tactics to constantly challenge China's red line and make "breakthroughs.” The fact that the US has repeatedly reneged on its commitments on the Taiwan question makes people can’t help but question the sincerity of the US in keeping President Biden’s commitments to stabilize and improve China-US relations, the consulate general said. 

Driven by selfish gains, "Taiwan independence" separatists have no scruples to betray the greater national interests and Taiwan compatriots. It will only bring disastrous consequences to Taiwan compatriots and tension and instability in the Taiwan Straits, the consulate general noted. 

The vast number of overseas Chinese in the US firmly oppose Lai's "transit" by publishing open letters and holding protests, proving once again that “Taiwan independence” is unpopular. "Taiwan independence” separatists will only find themselves disdained by all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation and will be condemned by history.

Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, firmly voiced opposition on Sunday to Lai Ching-te's activities in the US under any pretext or in any form. We firmly oppose Lai's actions that harm Taiwan by "relying on the US to seek independence," and firmly oppose the US’ indulgence and support for "Taiwan independence" advocates and their separatist actions in any form, she said.

"Taiwan independence" is utterly incompatible with peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits. Such actions will ultimately push Taiwan toward the perilous brink of military conflict, bringing serious calamity to people on the island, Zhu said.

Global Times