Chinese embassy slams G7 statement on Taiwan question

The accusation by?a handful of countries and organizations against China is a mischaracterization of the facts and truth and an interference in China’s internal affairs. China deplores, opposes and?absolutely does not accept this, the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in Canada said in response to a statement made by the G7 Foreign Ministers?and?the High Representative of the European Union regarding the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA)’s joint exercises around Taiwan island on April 1.

On Sunday,?the G7 Foreign Ministers?of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US and the High Representative of the European Union released a joint statement, in which they expressed “deep concern” about China’s “provocative” actions, “particularly the recent large-scale military drills around Taiwan.” They claimed these activities “are raising cross-Strait tensions” and opposed any unilateral actions to threaten such peace and stability, including by force or coercion,” according to a release from website of the government of Canada.

In response, the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy said in a statement on Sunday that the Taiwan question is purely China’s internal affairs that brook no external interference. “Taiwan independence” separatist activities and external forces that abet and aid them are the ones that undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits.”?

China’s joint exercises are?severe punishment against the Lai Ching-te authorities’ aggressive provocation to seek “Taiwan independence,” a stern warning to “Taiwan independence” separatist forces who deliberately undermine peace across the Taiwan Straits, and a responsible move to defend national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, said the spokesperson.

No external force is in any position to point fingers at this.?We will never ever allow anyone or any force to separate Taiwan from China in any form. We will take all measures necessary to firmly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, said the spokesperson.

The Chinese side urges?certain countries and organizations to follow the prevailing trend of international commitment to the one-China principle, abide by their political commitments made to China?and immediately stop?interfering in China's internal affairs over the Taiwan question, said the spokesperson.

On April 2, the PLA Eastern Theater Command announced that it completed all designated tasks of the joint exercises carried out from April 1 to 2, with the exercises testing the troops' integrated joint operations capabilities. Troops of the theater command will continue to strengthen combat readiness with intensive training, resolutely thwarting any separatist activities seeking "Taiwan independence," Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson of the PLA Eastern Theater Command, said in a statement on April 2.