China on Thursday urged the United States to stop interfering in the Taiwan region and to adhere to the one-China principle, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Thursday.
Guo Jiakun, the spokesman, made the remarks at a press conference in Beijing in response to a question about statements by Marco Rubio, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of State, during a confirmation hearing on Wednesday, where he described China as a significant adversary and advocated for bolstering Taiwan region's defenses.
"China's development follows a clear historical logic and is driven by strong internal dynamics. Our objective is clear and resolute: to deliver a better life for our people and make a greater contribution to the global community. China has consistently approached and managed China-U.S. relations based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation proposed by President Xi Jinping, while firmly safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests. The U.S. should foster a correct understanding of China, and cease unjustified attacks and smear campaigns against the country," Guo said.
Guo also underscored China's position on the Taiwan question.
"Taiwan is China's Taiwan, and the Taiwan question is purely China's internal matter that brooks no external interference. The greatest challenges to peace across the Taiwan Strait are the separatist activities and the interference and sabotage by external forces. The U.S. should adhere to the one-China principle and the three joint communiques between China and the U.S., honor its commitment not to support Taiwan secession, stop enabling separatist forces, and cease interfering in China's internal affairs using the Taiwan question," Guo concluded.
China urges U.S. to stop interfering in Taiwan question, uphold one-China principle
