By Riyaz ul Khaliq
ISTANBUL (AA) - The push for “independence” by the ruling party in Taiwan will end in a “shameful failure,” China said Thursday.
“There is only one China in the world, and the Taiwan question is China's internal affair,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin.
Beijing’s comments came in response to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's statement that said China was “overwhelmed by its internal challenges,” including economic and political.
“My thought is that perhaps this is not the time for them to consider a major invasion of Taiwan,” Tsai said in an interview.
But Wang said: “The DPP authorities stubbornly adhere to the ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist position and continue to push for ‘independence,’ which will only lead to shameful failure.”
Tsai represents the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and her second term ends in May. Presidential elections on the island nation are scheduled in January.
Beijing linked peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait to its one-China principle which means, “opposing Taiwan independence separatism, and opposing external interference,” said Wang.
China considers Taiwan its "breakaway province" while Taipei has insisted on independence since 1949 -- enjoying full diplomatic relations with 13 nations.