China urges U.S. to stop interfering in Taiwan question, uphold one-China principle

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

Demonstrators rallied across U.S. cities over the weekend to denounce the military action in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, who were flown out of the country.

The Venezuelan government said the military strikes targeted civilian and military sites in at least four states, including Caracas, as well as the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira, adding that the U.S. action blatantly violated the UN Charter.

The U.S. military intervention has since drawn widespread criticism, sparking protests at home.

Protesters gathered outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn on Sunday, where Maduro is being held, calling the U.S. government actions outrageous and a violation of international law.

Others gathered in the Times Square on Saturday following the capture of the Venezuelan president and his wife, saying the actions are not only illegal but also showed no respect.

"I mean, you don't just step in and take over another country. We have absolutely no right to do that. We have so much trouble in our country right here," said a protester named Sartre.

"It just defies not only human respectability in life but common sense," said another protester.

Additionally, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the White House, holding banners with slogans reading "Hands off Venezuela" and "Stop bombing Venezuela now."

Demonstrators rally in US cities over military action in Venezuela