China: "Han, must handle Taiwan issue cautiously... interference not tolerated"

Published 20 Apr.2023 16:43(KST)

On the 20th, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacted against President Yoon Suk-yeol's interview with Reuters, in which he opposed changes to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait by force, stating, "(Regarding the Taiwan issue) we do not allow interference from others."

Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular briefing that "resolving the Taiwan issue is the business of the Chinese people themselves," emphasizing that "there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inseparable part of Chinese territory. The Taiwan issue is purely China's internal affair and is at the core of China's core interests."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, President Yoon stated in an interview with Reuters regarding the tensions in the Taiwan Strait, "Such tensions have arisen due to attempts to change the status quo by force, and we absolutely oppose any change of the status quo by force together with the international community."

In this context, spokesperson Wang claimed, "The fundamental cause of the recent years' tensions in the Taiwan Strait is the separatist activities of Taiwan independence elements inside the island, supported and instigated by external forces," adding, "Taiwan independence acts and peace and stability are like water and fire?they cannot mix." He also stressed, "To safeguard the situation in the Taiwan Strait and regional peace and stability, we must clearly oppose Taiwan independence and external interference."

He also emphasized that the Taiwan issue is different from the security situation on the Korean Peninsula, including inter-Korean relations. He stated, "Both North Korea and South Korea are sovereign states that have joined the United Nations, and it is well known that the nature and circumstances of the Korean Peninsula issue and the Taiwan issue are completely different and cannot be compared," urging, "We hope that the Korean side properly adheres to the spirit of the China-Korea diplomatic relations joint communiqu?, strictly observes the 'One China' principle, and handles the Taiwan issue prudently."