China's top diplomat says Taiwan's ‘separatist activities’ most destructive for peace

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – China on Tuesday said “separatist activities” in Taiwan are “most destructive” for peace, a day after the latter's newly elected leader called on Beijing to "stop threatening" the island.

“Taiwan issue is at the core of China's interests, and ‘Taiwan independence separatist activities’ are the most destructive factor for peace across the Taiwan Strait,” Foreign Minister Wang Yi told a summit of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana.

“The scandalous behavior of (William) Lai Ching-te and others in betraying the nation and ancestors is disgraceful," he said.

“No matter how hard they try, nothing can stop China from finally achieving complete reunification and Taiwan will return to the embrace of the motherland."

China considers Taiwan as its own, but Taipei has maintained its independence since 1949.

Lai of the Democratic Progressive Party began his term as Taiwan's eighth president after taking the oath of office on Monday, succeeding the island’s only woman chief executive, Tsai Ing-wen. He called on China to cease military activities around the Taiwan Strait, and engage in dialogue.

“All ‘Taiwan independence separatists’ will be nailed to the pillar of shame in history,” Wang said, adding that the SCO member nations adhere to the basic norms of international relations and “resolutely abide by the one-China principle.”

“I believe that everyone will continue to support the Chinese people’s just cause of opposing ‘Taiwan independence separatist activities’ and striving for national reunification,” the Chinese minister said.

Meanwhile, China banned former US lawmaker Mike Gallagher from entering the country, state media said. The Republican is said to be a critic of China and a supporter of Taiwan.

The measures also include freezing of movable, immovable properties in China, and prohibiting organizations and individuals in China from transactions, cooperation and other activities with him.