Photo: Screenshot from Chinese Embassy in New Zealand

In response to a statement posted by New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) on its social media account claiming "concern" over the recent military exercises around Taiwan island, a spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand said on Thursday that the relevant post released by New Zealand's MFAT confuses right and wrong, and China firmly opposes it. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. The Taiwan question is purely an internal affair of China and brooks no interference from any external forces, said the spokesperson.

At present, the Taiwan authorities are obstinately pursuing "independence" by colluding with foreign forces in a vain attempt to split China, and external forces are conniving at and supporting such acts. These are the biggest threat and the fundamental destabilizing factor to peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, said the spokesperson.

The one-China principle is a prevailing international consensus and basic norm in international relations. It is also the political foundation of China-New Zealand relations. We urge the New Zealand side to earnestly abide by its one-China commitment, be cautious in words and deeds, and uphold—rather than undermine or erode—the political foundation for the steady development of bilateral relations, said the spokesperson. 

Global Times