Q：In a recent article on USA Today and an interview with AP, the representative of the “Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States” peddled the “democracy versus authoritarianism” narrative, advocated the maintenance of the cross-Strait “status quo”, and claimed that Taiwan will continue to strengthen its security and economic ties with the United States. What’s your comment?

Embassy Spokesperson: The remarks are misleading and have distorted the truth. The Taiwan question has nothing to do with democracy, but bears on China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. When it comes to “democracy”, the sincere desire and firm will of the 1.4 billion Chinese people for national reunification is the true and greatest democracy. “Taiwan independence” is a dead end and will only bring disaster to the people in Taiwan. Using “democracy” as a pretext, the “Taiwan independence” forces are trying to stoke confrontation and antagonism across the Strait, justify their provocative moves in pushing forward separatism, and cover up their hidden agenda of splitting the country apart. But such attempts are doomed to failure.

There is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. Taiwan’s return to China is a component of the post-WWII international order, and the one-China principle is a universally recognized basic norm governing international relations and a prevailing international consensus. This is the real status quo of the Taiwan question. The election result of the Taiwan region cannot change the dynamics and direction of cross-Strait relations. Nor can it hold back the prevailing trend that China will and must achieve reunification.

Facts have proved that the “Taiwan independence” forces and external forces colluding with them are the root causes of cross-Strait tensions in recent years and the fundamental threat to peace and stability across the Strait. The first fundamental principle of the party platform of the Democratic Progressive Party is “establishing the Republic of Taiwan as a sovereign, independent, and autonomous nation”. Whoever pushes for “Taiwan independence” will be splitting Chinese territory and will surely be judged harshly by history and law. Whoever goes against the one-China principle will be interfering in China’s internal affairs and violating China's sovereignty, and will surely be opposed by the Chinese people and the international community. No one shall underestimate the determination, resolve and capability of the Chinese people in safeguarding our sovereignty and territorial integrity.