Photo: screenshot

The accusation by a handful of countries and organizations against China is a mischaracterization of the facts and truth and an interference in China's internal affairs. China deplores, opposes and absolutely does not accept this, the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in Canada said in response to a statement made by the G7 Foreign Ministers and the High Representative of the European Union regarding the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA)'s joint exercises around Taiwan island on April 1.

On Sunday, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US and the High Representative of the European Union released a joint statement, in which they expressed "deep concern" about China's "provocative" actions, "particularly the recent large-scale military drills around Taiwan." They claimed these activities "are raising cross-Strait tensions" and "opposed any unilateral actions to threaten such peace and stability, including by force or coercion," according to a release from website of the government of Canada.

In response, the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy said in a statement on Sunday that the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affairs that brook no external interference. "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and external forces that abet and aid them are the ones that undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits." 

China's joint exercises are severe punishment against the Lai Ching-te authorities' aggressive provocation to seek "Taiwan independence," a stern warning to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces who deliberately undermine peace across the Taiwan Straits, and a responsible move to defend national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, said the spokesperson. 

No external force is in any position to point fingers at this. We will never ever allow anyone or any force to separate Taiwan from China in any form. We will take all measures necessary to firmly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, said the spokesperson. 

The Chinese side urges certain countries and organizations to follow the prevailing trend of international commitment to the one-China principle, abide by their political commitments made to China and immediately stop interfering in China's internal affairs over the Taiwan question, said the spokesperson. 

On April 2, the PLA Eastern Theater Command announced that it completed all designated tasks of the joint exercises carried out from April 1 to 2, with the exercises testing the troops' integrated joint operations capabilities. Troops of the theater command will continue to strengthen combat readiness with intensive training, resolutely thwarting any separatist activities seeking "Taiwan independence," Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson of the PLA Eastern Theater Command, said in a statement on April 2.

The joint statement by G7 Foreign Ministers and the EU's high representative once again reveals their persistent attempt to play Taiwan card in a bid to contain China. By openly encouraging separatist forces advocating "Taiwan independence," they expose their deeply hostile and vicious intent, Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times.

The statement also reflects the West's entrenched stance on the Taiwan question and its broader strategic goal of suppressing China through geopolitical rivalry and encirclement, said Li.

By making unfounded accusations against China and stoking tensions, G7 and some EU representatives are positioning themselves as sources of instability in the Asia-Pacific. Their actions aim to provoke confrontation, create division, and undermine regional peace - driven by a lingering Cold War mindset and a dangerous agenda to stir conflict and crisis in the region, said the expert. 

Li noted that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities remain committed to seeking "Taiwan independence" by relying on Western support, willingly serving as a pawn of external forces. But they will only become a discarded piece in the end.

By colluding with external forces to create chaos, the DPP authorities have exposed their true nature as a threat to the well-being of Taiwan's people and a destabilizing force in the region, said Li.

On April 2, in response to reports that the US, EU, Japan, and others had made remarks on the PLA's joint exercises around Taiwan island, claiming to oppose "unilateral changes to the status quo," including through force or coercion, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said that the accusations are a mischaracterization of the facts and truth and an interference in China's internal affairs. China deplores and opposes this. 

If certain countries and organizations truly want peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, they should follow the prevailing trend of international commitment to the one-China principle, abide by their political commitments made to China, earnestly respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and oppose "Taiwan independence" in any form, said Guo.