Daily Times

The Chinese mainland warned Wednesday that it will take further actions if secessionists in Taiwan continue to act recklessly.

Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson with the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office told a regular press conference that the recent military exercise by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has delivered a clear message.

“We have strong will, full confidence and sufficient ability to defeat separatist attempts for ‘Taiwan independence’ in any form, and safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the spokesperson said.

The exercise was directed at “Taiwan independence” elements and their separatist activities, and meant to preserve peace and stability of cross-Strait relations, and the common interests of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, he said.

He criticized the current Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration in Taiwan for destructing the political foundation for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, conniving at “de-sinicization” by “Taiwan independence” separatists, obstructing cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, and producing hostility between the two sides of the Strait.

Such acts have undermined the hard-won situation for the peaceful development of cross-Strait ties and caused a regress in relations, he said.

Noting that “Taiwan independence” separatist activities are the biggest real threat to the peace and stability across the Strait, Ma pledged that “we will never allow ‘Taiwan independence’ elements to separate Taiwan from China.”

The spokesperson also stressed that the issue regarding Taiwan is a domestic affair of China and expressed resolute opposition against any intervention from outside forces.

Taiwan Affairs

The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council has created an official account on China’s microblogging platform Sina Weibo, amid efforts to promote transparency.

“The move also aims to provide more channels for compatriots from both sides of the Taiwan Strait to follow related policies of the central authority and the office’s work,” said Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson with the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, at a press conference Wednesday.

About 510,000 Weibo users have become fans of the office on Weibo, a popular Twitter-like service, since the account “cross-Strait relations 0808” was put into trial operation on March 27, according to Ma.

Published in Daily Times, April 26^th 2018.