Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office Photo:VCG

Responding to Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang's describing the island of Taiwan as a "country" during his recent visit there, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council said on Wednesday that Huang should read up on the history, noting that Taiwan has never been a country and will never be one.

Chinese mainland netizens have expressed strong disapproval of Huang's wrong remarks, Chen Binhua, the spokesperson, said at a regular press conference on Wednesday in Beijing.

"Both sides of the Taiwan Straits belong to one China, and the island of Taiwan is an integral part of China. The historical context and legal facts to support this fact are crystal clear. Taiwan has never been a country and will never be one.  It is a universal consensus of the international community and a basic norm in international relations," Chen added.

The spokesperson said that it is hoped that Huang would read up on the history concerning the Taiwan question.

During a trip to a night market on the Taiwan island on May 29, Huang told local reporters that "Taiwan is one of the most important countries in the world. It is at the center of the electronics industry," The Straits Times reported on Sunday.

Prior to his leaving the island, Huang said: "I wasn't making a geopolitical comment, but thanking all of our technology partners here for all their support and contributions to the industry."

Chinese mainland is one of the most important markets for Nvidia. Media reports said earlier that Huang visited Nvidia's offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen on a low-key trip in January this year.

Global Times