U.S. urged to stop sending wrong signal to 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces: Chinese FM

(ECNS) -- “We urge the U.S. to stop official interaction with Taiwan, stop upgrading its substantive exchanges with the region, and stop sending a wrong signal to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces,” stated Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning at a press conference on Wednesday.

Mao made such remarks in response to Taiwan’s William Lai’s transit in the U.S. in August.

She said that China firmly opposes any form of official interaction between the U.S. and the Taiwan region, firmly opposes any visit by “Taiwan independence” separatists to the U.S. in any name or under whatever pretext, and firmly opposes any form of U.S. connivance and support for “Taiwan independence” separatists and their separatist activities.

“The Taiwan question is the very core of China’s core interests and the first red line that must not be crossed in the China-U.S. relationship.We urge the U.S. to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiqués, act on its leaders’ commitment of not supporting ‘Taiwan independence’,” Mao said.

She added that China will continue to closely follow the situation and take resolute and strong measures to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.