Q: According to reports, the deputy leader of the Taiwan region Lai Ching-te “transited” in New York on his way to Paraguay. What’s your comment? 

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

Lai Ching-te is an out-and-out “Taiwan independence” separatist. He has openly described himself as a "pragmatic worker for Taiwan independence", attacking the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus which embodies it and proposing egregiously wrong remarks such as ”building up Taiwan’s deterrence”. The purpose of his "transit" in the US is to build momentum for the Taiwan election and seek support for  “Taiwan independence” from the US. Being fully aware of his real intentions, the US deliberately greenlighted Lai’s "transit", conniving at "Taiwan independence" separatists.

The Taiwan question is at the core of China’s core interests and the first red line that must not be crossed in China-US relations. President Biden has reiterated his commitment that the US does not support "Taiwan independence", "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan", nor does it seek to use Taiwan as a tool to contain China. However, the US has taken tricks to obscure and hollow out the one-China principle, using salami tactics to constantly challenge China's red line and make "breakthroughs". The fact that the US has repeatedly reneged on its commitments on the Taiwan question makes people can’t help but question the sincerity of the US in keeping President Biden’s commitments to stabilize and improve China-US relations.

Driven by selfish gains, "Taiwan independence" separatists have no scruples to betray the greater national interests and Taiwan compatriots. It will only bring disastrous consequences to Taiwan compatriots and tension and instability in the Taiwan Strait. The vast number of overseas Chinese in the US firmly oppose Lai's "transit" by publishing open letters and holding protests, proving once again that “Taiwan independence” is unpopular. The outrageous acts of flattering the US and betraying Taiwan and Taiwan compatriots will never succeed. "Taiwan independence” separatists will only find themselves disdained by all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation and condemned by history.

Resolving the Taiwan question and realizing China’s complete reunification is a shared aspiration of all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation. We hope that people from all walks of life in the consular district can fully understand the origin, nature, and real status quo of the Taiwan question, respect the desire and efforts of the Chinese people to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and realize complete national reunification. We are willing to join hands with friends in the consular district who love peace and uphold justice to resolutely oppose all words and actions of “Taiwan independence”, and safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, so as to protect the common interests of the two peoples of China and the US.