China slams Taiwanese rapprochement with Japan under new leader

By Emre Aytekin

BEIJING (AA) - China has condemned Taiwan’s newly elected President Lai Ching-te over his rapprochement attempts with Japan amid disputes over the island’s sovereignty.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian criticized Lai’s recent comment where he recalled former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's statement that "a threat to Taiwan is a threat to Japan."

Spokesperson Lin stressed that the equation raised by some in Japan regarding Taiwan is a dangerous and miscalculated idea.

"By reiterating and bringing up this rhetoric, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities in Taiwan are showing the world that the underlying logic behind their approach to Japan is to sell out Taiwan and seek independence with the support of foreign powers," said Lin.

He also pointed out that Taiwan's claim to independence and foreign intervention are the main factors undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

"It needs to be reiterated once again that the One-China principle is a universal consensus. No separatist attempt toward Taiwan's independence, no matter in what form or under what pretext, will succeed," he noted.

Taiwan's new leader Lai on Wednesday said that he wants to enhance relations with Japan and promote economic prosperity for both while maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Lai also cited Japanese incumbent Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's statement that "Taiwan's security is a global issue."

- Criticism before Lai's inauguration

The Chinese spokesperson's criticism came ahead of Lai's official inauguration on May 20.

Beijing views Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) as "pro-independence" and party leader Lai as an "unrepentant separatist."

China considers Taiwan its “breakaway province” while the self-ruled island has insisted on its independence since 1949.

Beijing also opposes Taiwan’s representation at the UN and other international organizations and demands that other countries cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

*Writing by Gizem Nisa Cebi in Istanbul