Firmly oppose military contact between the US, Taiwan: Chinese Foreign Ministry

Beijing: Amid the ongoing visit of US lawmakers to Taiwan, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning has said that Beijing strongly opposes military contact between the US and Taiwan, as well as any attempt of the nation to arm Taiwan.

The visit of the US lawmakers to the self-governing island of Taiwan comes days after China conducted 'massive' military drills near Taiwan.

In a regular press conference on Monday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning said, "There is but one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. China firmly opposes military contact between the US and Taiwan and any attempt to arm Taiwan."

"We urge relevant members of the US Congress to stop playing the "Taiwan card," stop interfering in China's internal affairs, stop supporting and conniving at "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, and stop undermining China-US relations and cross-Strait peace and stability," the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.

On US lawmakers expressing support for Taiwan's defence, Mao Ning noted that it "violates" the one-China principle.

"In disregard of China's strong opposition, relevant members of the US Congress still decided to visit Taiwan, which violates the one-China principle, the three China-US joint communique, and the US government's own political commitment to maintaining only unofficial relations with the Taiwan region, and sends a severely wrong signal to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces," she said.

"China firmly opposes it and has made serious protests to the US. We will take necessary measures to firmly defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity," the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated.

(ANI)