China warns Japan against encouraging Taiwan separatists

China firmly opposes any attempt by Japan to make provocations or seek a breakthrough on the Taiwan question, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Monday.

He made the remarks at a daily news briefing when asked whether China accepts the explanation that Taiwan's senior official Cho Jung-tai described his trip to Japan to watch a baseball game as a private visit with no official arrangements.

Guo said a certain individual recently traveled to Japan to engage in activities aimed at promoting "Taiwan independence", describing the move as a political provocation.

China remains highly vigilant and strongly opposes attempts by the Japanese side to make provocations or seek a breakthrough on the Taiwan question, Guo said.

He warned that Japan's indulgence of such provocative acts will come at a cost and that the Japanese side must bear full responsibility for any consequences arising from them.

Guo reiterated that China will take firm measures to combat "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, oppose interference by external forces on the Taiwan question, and resolutely safeguard China's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.