Mao Ning profile photo Photo: official website of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 
China expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition on Tuesday toward the US State Department's latest remarks on Nauru severing "diplomatic ties" with the Taiwan authorities. 

The US blatantly issued irresponsible remarks on decisions made independently by a sovereign country, smears China's diplomacy, makes excuses for Taiwan region to expand international space, seriously violates the one-China principle and the three Sino-US joint communiques, and seriously interferes in China's internal affairs, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said. 

The US said it was disappointed that Nauru had switched "diplomatic recognition" from Taiwan to the Chinese mainland, the AFP reported. 

The US State Department also said "PRC often makes promises in exchange for diplomatic relations that ultimately remain unfulfilled," according to the media report. 

"There is only one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. The government of the People's Republic of China is the only legal government representing the whole of China," Mao said.

The one-China principle is a recognized basic norm of international relations and a general consensus of the international community, she noted. 

The Nauru government's decision to resume diplomatic relations with China once again fully demonstrates that the one-China principle is the aspiration of the people and the general trend, she said. China urged the US to implement the commitment repeatedly reiterated by US leader not to support Taiwan independence, "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan", to be prudent in handling affairs related to Taiwan question, and to stop sending erroneous messages to Taiwan secessionists, Mao said. 

Shortly after the Nauru government said it will cut "diplomatic relations" with the Taiwan region, noting that it's "in the best interests" of the Pacific island nation and its people to seek resumption of diplomatic relations with China, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Monday that China stands ready to work with Nauru to open a new chapter of bilateral relations on the basis of one-China principle.

In response to the Taiwan authorities'  latest claims about Nauru severing "diplomatic relations" with the island, which it claimed to be the mainland's retaliation to so-called democratic elections in Taiwan and a direct challenge to the international order, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said those remarks are simply confusing right and wrong while also confusing the public. 

The Taiwan question is definitely not a democratic question, but a question related to China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Mao said. 

The Taiwan secessionists use the guise of democracy to cover up their sinister intentions of splitting the country. Their plot is doomed to fail, the spokesperson said. 

When it comes to international order, Taiwan's return to China is an important part of the international order after WWII. This is clearly stipulated in the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Declaration, the spokesperson said. 

Resolution 2758 passed by the 26th session of the UN General Assembly in 1971 made it clear that there are no "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan" in the world. Adhering to the one-China principle means safeguarding the international order, and challenging the one-China principle means challenging the international order, which will inevitably be opposed by the international community, Mao said. 

A total of 182 countries around the world have established diplomatic relations with China on the basis of the one-China principle. Nauru's decision to stand with the overwhelming majority of the international community and resume diplomatic relations with China is a correct choice that is in line with its own long-term interests and will also open up brighter prospects for Nauru's development, the spokesperson said.

"The one-China principle is the basic norm of international relations and the general consensus of the international community. The Chinese government never trades principles," Mao said.

The DPP authorities ignore this historical trend, refuse to accept the one-China principle, and do everything possible to expand the so-called international space. There is no way out for engaging in secessionist activities and it is destined to end in failure, the spokesperson emphasized.