The future of Taiwan lies in peaceful development across the Taiwan Strait and the reunification of the motherland, said Zhang Han, a spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, on Wednesday.
Speaking at a press conference in Beijing in response to the recent remarks intended to obstruct China's reunification by the Taiwan authorities led by Lai Ching-te, the mainland spokeswoman said that as part of China, Taiwan has never been a country and will never be a country, and thus has no so-called 'sovereignty'.
"Taiwan is part of China. It has never been a country and will never be a country, and thus has no so-called 'sovereignty'. Peace is part of the common values of the compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is a common aspiration of the compatriots on both sides," Zhang said.
"The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities position itself in opposition to the mainstream public opinion, cling stubbornly to the separatist position for Taiwan secession, constantly seek Taiwan secession through military buildup, and deliberately obstruct exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait. They are the chief culprit sabotaging cross-Strait peace, and the instigator of the tensions and instability across the Taiwan Strait," she said.
"The future of Taiwan, and the security, interests and wellbeing of the compatriots in Taiwan lie in peaceful development across the Taiwan Strait and the reunification of the motherland. More and more compatriots in Taiwan have come to realize that the pursuit of secession by Taiwan authorities led by Lai Ching-te will only lead to war and ruin Taiwan, so they resolutely oppose separatist activities aimed at Taiwan secession and external interference, and actively seek peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," said the spokeswoman.
Taiwan's future lies in peaceful cross-Strait ties, national reunification: spokeswoman
The United Nations (UN) has urged for an immediate resumption of dialog between the United States and Iran on Tuesday, as Iran's UN envoy maintained that further negotiations depend on the U.S. lifting its blockade.
Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, told a press conference on Tuesday that the UN is maintaining intensive communications with all relevant parties to prevent further escalation of regional tensions, calling on the U.S. and Iran to resume talks as soon as possible.
"The secretary-general as well as personal envoy continue to have various numbers of communications. Our firm hope is that the dialog between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran will resume," said the spokesman.
However, the prospect of renewed talks remains uncertain. Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran's permanent representative to the UN, told China Media Group (CMG) in an interview that they are ready for talks, but there are prerequisites.
"We hope so. We don't know. We're ready for that. It depends on the United States. If they [remove] the blockade, I think the next round of negotiation will take place," he said, when asked whether negotiations will resume.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Truth Social on Tuesday he will extend the ceasefire with Iran as the current two-week truce is set to expire on Wednesday night.
The U.S. military will continue the blockade against Iran and "remain ready and able," Trump added.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance, whose trip to Pakistan for talks with Iran has been put on hold, was at the White House for meetings on Tuesday, along with Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner, multiple media outlets reported.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth arrived at the White House on Tuesday afternoon to join discussions over Washington's next steps, according to the reports.
The United States violated the ceasefire by starting a naval blockade of Iran's ports, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tuesday on X.
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told state TV late Tuesday that Iran has not yet decided whether to join fresh peace talks since it was upset about what he called mixed messages from Washington.
UN urges resumption of US-Iran dialog, Iran envoy demands end of blockade
