Minister Counselor Liu Pengyu, Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in the U.S., held a media briefing to elaborate on China’s position on the Taiwan question.

On the upcoming “inauguration” on May 20 in the Taiwan region, Minister Counselor Liu said that the elections in the Taiwan region are local elections. The result cannot change the basic fact that there is but one China in the world and Taiwan is a part of China. Nor can it alter the historical trend of Taiwan’s reunification with the motherland. The Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. That is an undeniable, universal consensus of the international community and a basic norm in international relations.

Liu pointed that the Taiwan authorities (Democratic Progressive Party) are constantly promoting “de-sinicization” and undertaking separatist activities step by step and attempting to expand Taiwan’s so-called “international space”. He said that promoting peace across the Taiwan Strait means opposing separatist moves. The stronger the commitment to the one-China principle, the more peaceful the Strait will be, he emphasized. 

Liu said that the Taiwan question is at the very core of China’s core interests and the most important and sensitive issue in China-U.S. relations. He urged the U.S. side to act on President Biden’s commitment of not supporting “Taiwan independence,” “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan” and not taking Taiwan as a tool to contain China. The U.S. side should stop official interactions with the Taiwan authorities and not make them feel supported in seeking “Taiwan independence”, he stated.

Minister Counselor Liu stressed that the Taiwan question is China’s internal affair. It should be left to the Chinese people. “We will strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification with the utmost sincerity and the utmost effort. In the meantime, we will not allow anyone to separate Taiwan from China by any means. No one should underestimate China’s determination, resolve and capability to safeguard her sovereignty and territorial integrity.” Liu said.

Liu noted the recent negative moves and statements by the U.S. side on the Taiwan question. He stressed that the Taiwan question is the first red line that must not be crossed in China-U.S. relations.

The U.S. official invited the Taiwan region to participate in the World Health Assembly (WHA) as an observer. Certain U.S. officials have made misleading remarks on United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758. “We stress that UNGA Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1.fully reflect and recognize the one-China principle. They should not be challenged or tempered with. Taiwan’s participation in international organizations must be and can only be approached under the one-China principle.” Liu said.

On U.S. congressional visits to Taiwan and the second phase of negotiations on the 21st Century Trade Agreement, Liu said that China firmly opposes official interactions between the U.S. and the island or U.S. interference in Taiwan affairs that are China’s internal affairs.

Liu also pointed out that U.S. arms sales to the Taiwan region is a “dangerous bet”, which violates the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. Joint Communiqués. “We urge the U.S. side to stop arming Taiwan and its provocative moves of using Taiwan to contain China. The U.S. side needs to take concrete actions to preserve the overall as well as mil-to-mil ties between China and the U.S., and safeguard regional peace and stability.” Liu said.