A view of the Taipei city, Taiwan island Photo: Unsplash

Chinese embassies in several countries, including the UK, Japan, and South Korea, have lodged solemn representations with these nations, opposing the attendance of certain politicians at the "inauguration ceremony" of the Taiwan regional leader. The Chinese embassies emphasized that Taiwan is an integral part of China and reiterated the one-China principle, urging these politicians to cease sending wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

Taiwan's new regional leader and head of the separatist Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Lai Ching-te, officially assumed office on Monday. According to media reports, several British parliamentarians including Lord Rogan, co-chair of the British-Taiwan All-Party Parliamentary Group, visited to the Taiwan island for the so-called "inauguration ceremony."

In response, the spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the UK said in a statement on Tuesday that the behavior by British politicians seriously violated the one-China principle, grossly interfered in China's internal affairs, and sent a wrong signal to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces. 

"We are dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to this, and have made stern representations to the UK government," said the spokesperson.

The Taiwan question is purely a matter of China's internal affair and warrants no interference from external forces. No matter who becomes the leader of the Taiwan region, it will in no way change the basic fact that Taiwan is part of China and that there is only one China in the world. It will not change the prevailing consensus of the international community on adhering to the one-China principle. And it will not change the historical trend that China will eventually be reunified, said the spokesperson.

The spokesperson also noted that the one-China principle is the political foundation and important prerequisite for China to establish and develop diplomatic relations with other countries. The UK government has the responsibility to abide by its commitment to China, handle Taiwan-related issues in accordance with the one-China principle, and not have any form of official contact with Taiwan.

"We urge British politicians to stop violating the one-China principle and stop interfering in China's internal affairs. Any move that undermines China's interests will be met with China's resolute response," said the spokesperson. 

The Chinese Embassy in Japan also expressed opposition to Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi's sending "congratulation" to Lai and some Japanese politicians' attending the "inauguration ceremony." 

The spokesperson said that despite strong opposition from China, the Japanese government and some politicians insist on sending a seriously wrong signal to the Taiwan authorities, blatantly interfering in China's internal affairs, violating the one-China principle, and seriously violating the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan as well as Japan's commitments on the Taiwan question. 

China strongly opposes this and has made solemn representations to the Japanese side,  the spokesperson said. 

The spokesperson noted that Japan had long been a colonial power in Taiwan and bears undeniable and serious historical responsibility. Therefore, Japan should act with utmost caution and prudence regarding the Taiwan question.

The Taiwan question is at the core of China's vital interests, touching upon the political foundation of China-Japan relations and the fundamental trust between the two countries. It represents an uncrossable red line. Improving and developing China-Japan relations must be based on adherence to the one-China principle, said the spokesperson.

China firmly opposes all "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and interference from external forces, including Japan, said the spokesperson.

"China will take all necessary measures to firmly uphold national sovereignty and territorial integrity. We solemnly urge Japan to immediately cease its provocative actions and political manipulation on the Taiwan question, stop any adventurous schemes that support 'Taiwan independence' forces, and avoid further harming peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits and China-Japan relations," the spokesperson added. 

The spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in South Korea also released a statement on Tuesday, opposing People Power Party member Cho Kyoung-tae and some South Korean politicians' attending Monday's ceremony. 

The spokesperson said that the act blatantly violates the one-China principle and the spirit of the China-South Korean Joint Communique, sending a serious wrong signal to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and running counter to the strategic cooperative partnership between China and South Korea. China strongly opposes and condemns this behavior, and has lodged a solemn protest with the South Korean side.

The one-China principle is a prerequisite and foundation for the establishment and development of diplomatic relations between China and South Korea. China consistently opposes any form of official exchanges between South Korea and the Taiwan island, said the spokesperson. 

South Korean lawmakers represent the people of South Korea and have an official nature. We urge the South Korean side to adhere to the one-China principle, refrain from interfering in China's internal affairs in any way, and refrain from supporting and emboldening "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, according to the spokesperson. 

"We urge them to take practical actions to safeguard the overall situation of China-South Korea relations," said the spokesperson.