China calls on US to withdraw support for separatist forces in Chinese Taipei

China has called on the United States to withdraw support for anti-Beijing separatist forces in Chinese Taipei.

Hua Chunying, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, made the plea on Monday in response to a US State Department statement that had accused China of "provocative military activity" by flying dozens of fighter jets as part of an air power show near Chinese Taipei.

Hua said the self-ruled Island belongs to China and the United States is in no position to make irresponsible remarks in contravention of the “One China” policy.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Washington has for quite some time been making negative moves by selling arms to Taipei and strengthening official and military ties with the island, including the launch of a 750-million-dollar arms sale plan and frequent sailing of American warships across the Taiwan Strait.

Hua said China firmly opposes such provocative moves as they undermine China-US relations and jeopardize regional peace and stability.

Stressing that the “One China” principle is the political foundation of China-US relations, Hua said China would take all necessary measures to resolutely crush all attempts at pushing Taipei’s independence and would also safeguard its national sovereignty as well as territorial integrity.

"Taiwan independence" leads nowhere, Hua said in reference to Chinese Taipei.

"The United States should correct its mistakes, earnestly abide by the one-China principle and properly handle Taiwan-related issues, stop supporting and emboldening separatist forces of 'Taiwan independence,' and take concrete actions to safeguard rather than undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," the Chinese official added.

China has sovereignty over Chinese Taipei, and under the “One China” policy, almost all world countries recognize that sovereignty. Beijing also opposes other countries pursuing ties with the self-ruled island and has consistently warned Washington against engaging with Chinese Taipei.

China has in the past said its military exercises near Chinese Taipei are a “solemn warning” to secessionist factions in the self-ruled island and their foreign backers, particularly the United States.

China flies 25 fighter jets after incursion by British warship

China has flown 25 fighter jets over Taipei’s airspace after Britain sent a warship through the Taiwan Strait in a move aimed at challenging Beijing

China on Friday flew 38 fighter jets over Taipei’s airspace after Britain sent a warship through the Taiwan Strait in a move aimed at challenging Beijing's claim to the strategic waterway. China also flew 30 warplanes toward Taipei on Saturday.

The Chinese Taipei’s defense ministry described the show of force as “incursion” and said Taipei had scrambled combat aircraft to counter the move, which happened on the same day that Beijing marked the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Taipei premier, president slam China’s military activities

Chinese Taipei’s prime minister Su Tseng-chang on Tuesday criticized Beijing for what it called “over the top” military activities in the self-ruled island’s air space.

"Taiwan must be on alert. China is more and more over the top," the premier said, adding that Taipei needs to "strengthen itself" and come together as one.

Moreover, the self-ruled island’s President Tsai Ing-wen said Taipei does not seek military confrontation but will do whatever it takes to defend itself “if its democracy and way of life are threatened.”

The president has already pledged to defend the island and has made modernizing its armed forces a priority, including developing a fleet of new submarines, buying new F-16 fighter jets from the United States and upgrading its warships.

The US is the island’s largest weapons supplier and an avid backer of its secessionist president.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk