A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday slammed Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te over his latest remarks on cross-Strait relations, accusing him of promoting secessionism and escalating tensions across the Taiwan Strait.
Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said in a press release that Lai's speech marking his second anniversary in office was "filled with lies and deception, hostility and confrontation."
Chen accused Lai of stubbornly adhering to a secessionist stance in pursuit of "Taiwan independence," while exaggerating the so-called threats from the mainland and intensifying confrontation across the Strait.
Lai played an old trick of advocating the secessionist agenda on one hand and, on the other, calling insincerely for dialogue and exchanges with the mainland, attempting to mislead people in Taiwan and deceive the international community, he said.
Chen said that these common tricks have been seen through by more and more Taiwanese people. Their deceptive and provocative actions will be met with firm opposition from compatriots on both sides and the international community, and are doomed to fail.
Reaffirming the mainland's position on the Taiwan question, Chen said Taiwan has never been a country, is not one now, and will never become one in the future.
He described the Taiwan question as a historical issue left over from a Chinese civil war in the 1940s.
No election result in Taiwan could alter the fact that Taiwan is part of China or sever the historical and legal bonds linking the two sides of the Strait, according to Chen.
The mainland would never allow any person or force to pursue secessionist activities under any pretext, he added.
Calling secessionists "the chief culprit" who undermines cross-Strait peace, Chen said the mainland would continue to uphold the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, unite broadly with Taiwan compatriots, combat secessionist activities, and safeguard peace and stability across the Strait.
Central government spokesperson refutes Lai Ching-te's latest remarks, warns against secessionist moves
Guests at events marking the second International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations have spoken highly of the significance of the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) and commended China's contribution to promoting dialogue among civilizations, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Wednesday.
At a press conference in Beijing, spokesman Lin Jian briefed the reporters on the events held at the UN headquarters and in cities home to multiple UN entities to mark the second International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations, as well as on a report on dialogue among civilizations released by the China Institute of International Studies on the day.
"Three years ago, President Xi Jinping put forth the GCI, highlighting the need for civilizations to live together in harmony. Establishing the International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations is an important step to implement the GCI. Today marks the second International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations. As the initiator, China, together with the UN and other international organizations, held a variety of events across the globe," Lin said.
"Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi delivered a video address and proposed to facilitate dialogue among civilizations from four aspects: First, champion mutual respect and promote harmonious coexistence of civilizations; second, champion putting the people first and cement the foundation of exchanges among civilizations; third, champion both heritage and innovation to drive the progress of civilization; fourth, champion exchanges and mutual learning and improve mechanisms for dialogue among civilizations," said the spokesman.
"President of Colombia Gustavo Petro, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Miguel Angel Moratinos, and heads of UN entities and other international organizations in cities including Geneva, Vienna, Nairobi, and Hague have voiced their support for the events and delivered remarks. Various parties have spoken highly of the significance of the GCI in the world and commended China's contribution to promoting dialogue among civilizations. They also call on the international community to strengthen solidarity and cooperation to promote peace and development through dialogue among civilizations," he said.
"To further review and summarize China's experience, practices and major achievements in facilitating global dialogue among civilizations, the China Institute of International Studies today released the report China's Actions for Advancing Global Civilization Dialogue, which systemically states China's concepts, policies and achievements in promoting dialogue among civilizations and also looks ahead to China's next steps in this regard. You are all welcome to read the report," Lin said.
"Joint efforts from the international community are needed to promote dialogue among civilizations. China will work with all parties to take the International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations as an opportunity to draw wisdom through dialogue among civilizations to tackle global difficulties and embrace more partners in this regard so as to build a community with a shared future for humanity together," he said.
China's contribution to promoting dialogue among civilizations widely acclaimed: spokesman
