Taiwan question brooks no external interference, says FM spokesperson

The Taiwan question is purely China's internal affairs and brooks no external interference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun reiterated on Wednesday.

Guo commented in response to reports that the U.S., EU, Japan, and others made remarks on the joint exercises around Taiwan Island conducted by the People's Liberation Army on Tuesday.

The accusation of a handful of countries and organizations against China is a mischaracterization of the facts and truth and an interference in China's internal affairs, he said. "China deplores and opposes this."

Guo said "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and external forces that abet and aid them are the ones that undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits.

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, stressed Guo.

Moves to clamor for "Taiwan independence" mean separating China; support for "Taiwan independence" means interference in China's internal affairs, and attempts to abet "Taiwan independence" mean destabilizing the Taiwan Straits, he said.

China's joint exercises are a severe punishment for 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."

"As long as provocations for 'Taiwan independence' last, our punishment against 'Taiwan independence' will continue," said Guo.

"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," he added.