Spokesperson's Remarks｜Mainland slams Taiwan leader Lai's speech

With regard to the speech by the leader of the Taiwan region, Lai Ching-te, that there must be no "annexation or encroachment" on Taiwan's sovereignty, Beijing said on Thursday that the attempt to seek "Taiwan independence" and make provocations will lead nowhere.

Mao Ning, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson/MFA PRC

Lai's words attempt to sever the historical connections between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. He is again peddling various versions of "Taiwan independence" narrative, such as "China and Taiwan are not subordinate to each other" and "Taiwan has sovereignty". It once again exposed that he is hellbent on advancing "Taiwan independence" and has the ill intention of heightening tensions in the Taiwan Strait for his selfish political interest, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a daily briefing in Beijing on Thursday.

The spokeswoman reiterated that there is but one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory. The government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. No matter what they say or do, the Lai Ching-te authorities cannot change the fact that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one and the same China, or stop the historical trend that China will and must achieve reunification.

Mao noted that the one-China principle is a basic norm in international relations and prevailing international consensus. Taiwan has never been a country and will never be a country, and thus has no so-called sovereignty. Upholding the one-China principle, opposing "Taiwan independence" and opposing "two Chinas" and "one China, one Taiwan" is our consistent position on the Taiwan region's external exchanges and participation in international activities.

"Let me stress once again that China opposes all forms of official interactions between Taiwan and countries having diplomatic relations with China, and interference in China's internal affairs in any way and under any excuse. We urge the few foreign politicians who visit Taiwan to correct their wrong words and deeds, stop meddling in China's internal affairs, and stop conniving at and supporting 'Taiwan independence' and heightening tensions in the Taiwan Strait."Mao said. (By Ma Ziqian/China Youth Daily)

来源：中国青年报客户端