Zhu Fenglian Photo: Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council

Resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese people themselves, with no room for external interference, Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, told a press briefing on Wednesday, in response to a question from a Global Times reporter regarding the "joint statement" issued after the meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and French President Emmanuel Macron, which claimed the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits and was thanked by the Taiwan island's so-called "foreign affairs department." 

The so-called "joint statement" makes irresponsible remarks on the Taiwan question and interferes in China's internal affairs, which we firmly oppose, said Zhu.

Zhu's response came after Takaichi and Macron issued a joint statement on April 1, which claimed to "urge the peaceful resolution" of Taiwan question through constructive dialogue, according to the Nikkei.

Li Zhenguang, director at the Institute of Taiwan Studies at Beijing Union University, told the Global Times on Wednesday that Takaichi has taken a willful and obstinate stance on Taiwan question and even attempted to rally other countries to support her stance.

Spokesperson Zhu stressed that the countries concerned must abide by the one-China principle and stop sending wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities' attempt to split the country by relying on external forces is doomed to failure, Zhu added.

Li also said that one of the root causes of the tensions in the Taiwan Straits lies in the instigation of external forces such as Japan, and the provocative actions of the DPP authorities are growing increasingly brazen due to such external support.