China ‘opposes any form of US relation with Taiwan’

China has voiced strong opposition to the official contacts and military relations between the United States and Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory.

Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of China’s State Council, said on Wednesday that China resolutely opposed relations in any form between the US and Taiwan.

Ma made the remarks at a press conference in response to news that two US Navy vessels had crossed the Taiwan Strait on October 22.

Beijing sees the self-ruled island of Taiwan as a breakaway but inseparable part of its territory.

‘There will be a price to pay’

“The Taiwan issue bears on China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Ma said. “We resolutely oppose official contacts or military ties in any form between the US side and Taiwan region, and our stance is consistent and clear.”

“Those who rely on foreign forces to build themselves up and collude with foreign forces to undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait will certainly pay a price for their deeds,” the Chinese official said.

Beijing has pursued reunification ever since Taiwan broke away from mainland China during a civil war in 1949. China claims full sovereignty over the island; and almost all world countries, including the US since 1979, recognize that sovereignty under a policy known as “One China.”

SS