A Chinese spokesman has slammed Taiwan's leader Tsai Ing-wen for her statement that Beijing was threatening Taiwan and her calling for international efforts to "constrain" the mainland.
Tsai's comments are totally groundless, and her intent is to create hostility and confrontation between the mainland and Taiwan, said Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman with the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office at a regular briefing on Wednesday.
Earlier on Monday, Tsai told AFP reporters that Taiwan faces "immense pressure" from Beijing and called on international community to "constrain China."
The relationship between the mainland and Taiwan has deteriorated since Tsai came to office in 2016.
Ma said the current Taiwan authorities are responsible for the deterioration of the cross-Strait ties, as they refused to acknowledge the 1992 Consensus that acknowledges there's only one China.
The mainland respects Taiwan's current social system and lifestyle, and is willing to provide favorable economic opportunities to Taiwan residents, he added.
