Resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and brooks no interference by any external forces, Chen Binhua, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said at a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday.
In response to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's claim that "Taiwan is not just China's business but the world's business," the spokesperson reiterated that Taiwan question brooks no external interference.
"Taiwan is China's Taiwan, and the Taiwan question is China's internal affair. Addressing the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and it brooks no external interference. The activities of Taiwan secessionist forces and foreign interference are the biggest threat to undermine the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," said the spokesman.
"If the U.S. side truly hopes for cross-Strait peace and stability, it should abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, handle the Taiwan question with extra prudence, unequivocally oppose Taiwan secessionist forces, and support China's peaceful reunification," said Chen.
Taiwan question brooks no external interference: spokesman
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Australia rang in the year of 2026 with spectacular light and fireworks displays at their landmarks, igniting the night sky at the stroke of midnight on Jan 1.
Amidst the countdown and cheers from the crowd, the iconic 828-meter-high Burj Khalifa in Dubai, UAE illuminated the skyline with "Happy New Year" in Arabic, English, and Chinese on the tower's LED screens.
The eight-minute visually stunning show at the world's tallest skyscraper also featured drone performances and 3D projection mapping, vividly showcasing Dubai's cultural heritage and cutting-edge technology.
The New Year celebrations in downtown Dubai will be extended to eight days for the first time, running from December 31, 2025, to January 7, 2026, according to local authorities.
Australia also welcomed the New Year with dazzling fireworks in Sydney, attracting millions of visitors from all over the world to gather by the seaside to share the festive joy.
The Sydney celebration featured two separate fireworks displays – an 8-minute show at 21:00 and a 12-minute one at the midnight. Fireworks were launched from water, land, and aerial platforms at landmarks including the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, spanning seven kilometers along the harbor and showcasing 40,000 different pyrotechnic effects.
This annual event in the Southern Hemisphere city is one of the world's most spectacular New Year celebrations, drawing millions of spectators every year. On Wednesday, people from across the globe arrived early at viewing locations to share this special moment with families and friends.
"We spend the time together with friends because everybody is away from their families, otherwise maybe you'll get a little bit homesick," said Hendrik, an Estonian working in Australia.
"My New Year's wish for my wife is to become healthy after I am pretty much healthy again," said Atthians, a German tourist.
UAE, Australia ring in New Year with spectacular fireworks
