Defense ministry speaks out against US' Taiwan statements

The Chinese military strongly opposes the United States' recent statements concerning the Taiwan question, according to a military spokesperson.

Senior Colonel Ren Guoqiang, a spokesman of the Ministry of National Defense, said in a news briefing on Thursday afternoon the US side should abide by the one-China principle and the three Sino-US joint communiques and properly handle issues related to the Taiwan question, to avoid serious damage to relations between the two countries and the two militaries, as well as peace and stability in Taiwan Straits.

He made the remarks when responding to requests for comment on an article published on the US Department of Defense's website saying Taiwan is not part of China.

"Such words gravely violated the one-China principle and sent misleading signals to the Taiwan separatists," Ren said. "We have strong indignation and resolute opposition toward such malignant remarks."

The spokesman said the fact Taiwan is part of China can never be altered by any individual or force. He added the Taiwan question is purely an internal affair of China and concerns China's core interests, and China will never tolerate any interference from outside forces.

"The People's Liberation Army is always determined to safeguard the nation's sovereignty, security and interests."

Ren also said the one-China principle is the political foundation of Sino-US relations. He urged the US side to stop hyping up "China's military threats", drop the zero-sum mentality, regard China's development and national defense with an objective, rational perspective, and do something constructive for the mutual trust between the two nations and regional peace and stability.