MASTV: It is reported that a bipartisan delegation of five members of the US House of  Representatives visited Taiwan. The “foreign affairs department” of the Taiwan authorities issued a statement saying that they will exchange views on issues including Taiwan-US relations, and that the visits of delegation from the US Congress demonstrate the firm bipartisan and bicameral support to the bilateral relations. We noted that US lawmakers have visited Taiwan twice in less than one  month. Does the foreign ministry have any comment?

Zhao Lijian: The visit to Taiwan by certain US lawmakers gravely violates the one-China principle and stipulations of the three China-US Joint Communiqués and sends a seriously wrong signal of supporting the “Taiwan independence” separatist forces. China strongly deplores and firmly rejects this and has lodged solemn representation with the US side. 

The one-China principle is an unshakable norm governing international relations. The moves of certain US politicians to wantonly challenge the one-China principle and embolden the “Taiwan independence” separatist forces have caused strong indignation among the 1.4 billion Chinese people. Taiwan is a sacred and inalienable part of China’s territory, not a card in international relations. We advise some in the US against playing the “Taiwan card”, because it will be a ill-conceived attempt that is doomed to fail. If they insist on playing this card, they will reap what they sow. China’s reunification is an unstoppable trend of history. The clumsy show put up by certain US politicians and the Taiwan authorities is only to be overwhelmed by China’s reunification process and can never change the unbreakable landscape where 180 countries in the world are committed to the one-China principle. All erroneous acts that run counter to the trend of China’s reunification are like ant trying to topple a giant tree and will end up in failure.

The Taiwan question concerns China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and bears on China’s core interests. The one-China principle and the three China-US Joint Communiqués constitute the political foundation of China-US relations. The US should earnestly abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US Joint Communiqués, immediately stop all forms of official interaction with Taiwan, prudently and properly handle Taiwan-related issues, and clear the landmines and barriers in bilateral relations. A stern warning to the Taiwan authorities: Attempting to solicit foreign support and rely on the US to seek independence will prove a dead end.