China urges US to stop supporting Taiwan independence

BEIJING -- China urged the United States to stop "sending the wrong signals" to Taiwan independence forces, as the island's new leader Tsai Ing-wen contacted several US congressmen.

"We insist on handling Taiwan's external contacts in the principle of the one-China policy, and oppose any countries having diplomatic relations with China to conduct any official association or contacts with Taiwan," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei on Thursday.

Hong told a daily press conference that China was very dissatisfied with contact between US officials, congressmen and Tsai Ing-wen. China has already lodged solemn representations with the US side.

Hong urged the United States to honor its commitment to the one-China policy, the principle of the three joint communiques, and to oppose Taiwan independence.

The United States should handle Taiwan affairs cautiously and stop official contact with Taiwan in any form, and sending the wrong signals to Taiwan independence and avoid harming China-US relations, Hong said.

Tsai started an overseas trip to Panama and Paraguay on June 24, and made stops in Miami and Los Angeles.