Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun

Taiwan is part of China, and labeling Taiwan as "China (Taiwan)" is entirely natural and right. China hopes the South Korean government will fully recognize that the Taiwan question concerns the national feelings of more than 1.4 billion Chinese people, abide by the spirit of the China-ROK Joint Communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations, abide by the one-China principle, resist and oppose any form of "Taiwan independence," and work with China to promote the sound and steady development of China-South Korea relations through concrete actions, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Tuesday. 

Guo made the remarks when asked to comment on that earlier, according to South Korean media reports, Seoul had decided to remove the "previous departure point" and "next destination" options from South Korea's electronic arrival declaration system in order to simplify entry and exit procedures and unify the content and format of electronic and paper arrival declarations. Some South Korean media outlets claimed the Taiwan regional authorities had expressed dissatisfaction over South Korea labeling the Taiwan region as "China (Taiwan)"  under that option. 

Earlier on Tuesday afternoon, a spokesperson for South Korea's Foreign Ministry said the South Korean government has consistently reaffirmed the respect of, through the 1992 joint communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Republic of Korea and subsequent joint statements, the Chinese side's position that there is only one China and that Taiwan is part of China, emphasizing that its respect for the one-China position has not changed. The South Korean spokesperson said the recent measures concerning the electronic arrival card were merely administrative and technical steps aimed at facilitating visits, streamlining the immigration management system, and unifying the format of paper and electronic arrival cards. 

Guo said he would like to reiterate that the China-ROK joint communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations clearly stipulates that the government of the Republic of Korea recognizes the government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government representing China, and respects the Chinese position that there is but one China and Taiwan is part of China. President Lee Jae-myung also clearly stated, both in an interview with Chinese media earlier this year and during his state visit to China, that he respects the one-China position.

China's position on the Taiwan question is clear and consistent. The one-China principle is a basic norm governing international relations and a prevailing consensus of the international community. It is also the political foundation for China to establish and develop relations with all countries and relevant organizations, including South Korea, said Guo. 

Global Times