A Chinese mainland spokesman on Wednesday slammed Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities for following the United States to turn Taiwan into a "powder keg" for their political self-interest.
Chen Binhua, spokesman of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, was responding to a media query about the U.S. claims that the mainland could have "the ability to invade Taiwan" as early as 2027, and the demand by the head of so-called Taiwan's defense authorities that Taiwan's armed forces must reach a high level of combat readiness by 2027.
"In order to pursue political self-interest, the DPP authorities have been following the United States step by step to turn Taiwan into a 'powder keg', provoking confrontation and pushing the people in Taiwan into danger with sinister intentions. No matter how the situation on the Taiwan island evolves or what troubles external forces may make, the historical trend toward China's ultimate and inevitable reunification is unstoppable," Chen said.
"The Taiwan question is purely China’s internal affair that brooks no external interference. No one should underestimate the strong resolve, will and ability of the Chinese people and the Chinese military to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The DPP authorities' attempt to seek independence by relying on external forces, resorting to forces and building up its military is just wishful thinking. It is a misjudgment that will only lead to their own destruction," he added.
Mainland spokesman slams DPP authorities for turning Taiwan into "powder keg" for political self-interest
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is deeply concerned about the U.S. rhetoric suggesting possible intervention in the situation in Iran, urging all parties to pursue diplomacy and dialogue in line with the principles of the UN Charter, his spokesperson said on Monday.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that his administration is weighing "some very strong options," including potential military action against Iran amid the unrest across the Middle East country.
At a press briefing Monday at the UN Headquarters in New York, Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, conveyed Guterres' alarm over the remarks.
"The rhetoric that we've heard around the situation in Iran, which is concerning to him (Guterres), and he encourages all to adopt a path of diplomacy and dialogue," said Dujarric.
"We push for dialogue, and I think the [UN] Charter is very clear on your question," Dujarric said when asked whether foreign intervention might help resolve the crisis. The UN Charter enshrines core principles including the sovereign equality of all states, non-intervention in the affairs of other states, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
These norms were further reinforced by the 1970 Declaration on Principles of International Law, adopted by the UN General Assembly, which explicitly states that no state or group of states has the right to intervene, directly or indirectly, for any reason whatever, in the internal or external affairs of any other state.
Protests have erupted in several Iranian cities since late December over the sharp fall in the national currency rial and long-standing economic hardships. The reported death toll from the unrest on both sides of the security forces and civilians is mounting.
UN chief urges diplomacy amid US military threats against Iran: spokesperson
