Zhu Fenglian Photo: VCG

In response to a series of questions regarding US senators' visit to Taiwan and speculations that a potential war across the Taiwan Straits may break out amid escalating tensions, the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council on Wednesday said Chinese mainland is willing to strive for the prospect of a peaceful reunification with the utmost sincerity and efforts, but will not leave any room for any form of Taiwan secessionist activities.

"We firmly oppose any form of official and military contacts between the US and China's Taiwan region. We urge some US congressmen to abide by the one-China principle and relevant provisions of the three China-US joint communiqués, and refrain from sending wrong signals to Taiwan secessionists, which will only further damage peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits," said Zhu Fenglian, the spokesperson of Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council on Wednesday after a delegation of US Congress members landed in Taipei on an unannounced visit on Tuesday evening. 

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities' "seeking secession by relying on the US" is doomed to fail. No one should underestimate the strong resolve and capability of the Chinese people to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, Zhu said. 

When asked about whether there will be more people added into the diehard secessionists list, Zhu said secessionists, including the ringleaders and their financial backers who organize, plot and carry out acts to split China and undermine national unity, collude with external forces, and seek "de jure secession" by "constitutional amendment" and other means, will be severely punished in accordance with the law.  

The defense authority of Taiwan recently said military aircraft of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) have sent more than 700 aircrafts into Taiwan's self-proclaimed southwest airspace this year, adding that Taiwan will face more military pressure in the future as the cross-Straits military confrontation continues.  

In response, Zhu said that the PLA's exercises to firmly defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, strongly against separatist activities and external interference, and fundamentally safeguard the overall interests of the Chinese nation and the interests of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits.  

She said the Chinese mainland is willing to strive for the prospect of a peaceful reunification with the utmost sincerity and efforts, but will not leave any room for any form of Taiwan secession activities.  

The current tension across the Taiwan Straits is rooted in the fact that the DPP authorities and secessionists are blatantly peddling the "two states" theory and constantly plotting "secession" provocations in collusion with external forces, Zhu said.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) issued a statement last week, which suggested families store an appropriate amount of essential daily necessities for "emergency need." The notice prompted speculations that it was an official call for emergency preparation with the current tense situation across the Taiwan Straits, with some even speculating that the notices could be a sign of potential outbreak of a war across the Taiwan Straits.

Meanwhile, the head of Taiwan's defense authority Chiu Kuo-cheng said on October 28 that a manual on people's survival and asylum is being prepared and expected to be completed by March 2022.

In response to a question regarding the speculations, Zhu said she hoped that people won't spread rumors.   

"People on both sides of the Taiwan Straits know very well that Taiwan secession means befalling of a disaster and loss of peace," Zhu said, "The DPP authorities are stubbornly provoking 'secessionism' for their own selfish gain, even tying the Taiwan people to the chariot of Taiwan secession. Such a perverse act that threatens the people's will and goes against the prevailing trend will do great harm to the well-being of Taiwan compatriots, and will inevitably be opposed and resisted by them."

We hope that Taiwan compatriots will not fall victim to the separatist forces, and work together to safeguard vital interests and peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, Zhu said. 

As a response to a song dubbed "Go to Taiwan in 2035" which recently went viral, Zhu said along with another song "Take High-speed Railway to Taiwan" she heard previously, they reflect the good wishes of people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits to realize the vision of the high-speed railway from Fujian to Taipei.  

"I hope that the two sides of the Taiwan Straits will enjoy more convenient exchanges and enjoy more beautiful scenery and delicious food. I believe that this wish will certainly come true," said Zhu.  

Global Times