Photo: State Council Taiwan Affairs Office

China voiced firm opposition on Wednesday to Japan's recent move allowing individuals from the Taiwan region to "list Taiwan instead of China" as their place of origin, stating that such an attempt to create "two Chinas" or 'one China, one Taiwan' seriously violates the one-China principle.

Japan announced in mid-February a key change to its family registration system, allowing "individuals from Taiwan to list Taiwan instead of China as their place of origin," according to a report by Japanese media outlet The Asahi Shimbun. The change will take effect in May.

"There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is a part of China. Japan's move attempts to create 'two Chinas' or 'one China, one Taiwan,' which seriously violates the one-China principle and constitutes a grave interference in China's internal affairs. We firmly oppose this," Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said at a press conference on Wednesday.

As a country with historical responsibility for the Taiwan question, Japan should learn from history, act with caution, strictly adhere to the one-China principle and the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan, and handle Taiwan-related issues prudently, Zhu added.

"We also sternly warn the DPP authorities that misjudging the situation and seeking independence by relying on external forces is doomed to fail," she emphasized.

In response to the same issue, Guo Jiakun, spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, stated at a press conference on February 17 that Japan had committed aggression against Taiwan and exercised colonial rule over the island.

"It bears serious historical responsibility to the Chinese people and should act with even greater prudence on the Taiwan question," Guo said.

"We urge the Japanese side to abide by the one-China principle and the spirit of the four political