Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin: 'Taiwan Is Not A Country'; 'To Use Taiwan To Contain China Is To Play With Fire And Will Definitely Backfire'

In response to Taiwan President Lai Ching-te's inaugural speech,[1] stressing that Taiwan will not give up its sovereignty, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin stated during a daily press conference that Taiwan is "not a country" and warned the U.S. that to "use Taiwan to contain China is to play with fire and will definitely backfire."

(Source: Mfa.gov.cn)

Below are Wang Wenbin from the daily press briefing on May 20-21, 2024:

"The General Trend Of China's Reunification Is Irreversible"; "The Trend Of The History Of China Realizing Complete Reunification Is Unstoppable"

People's Daily: "Lately, leaders of many countries and international organizations reaffirmed their commitment to the one-China principle and support for China's reunification. Can you give us more details and what's your comment?"

Wang Wenbin: "Over the past few weeks, leaders of many countries and international organizations have reaffirmed the commitment to the just cause of upholding the one-China principle, which shows that upholding the one-China principle is where global opinion trends.

"Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that Kazakhstan is firmly committed to the one-China principle and this position will never change.

"President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that the elections in the Taiwan region are China's internal affair and other countries have no right to interfere or point fingers at it. He stressed once again that Uzbekistan's commitment to firmly upholding the one-China principle will never waver.

"President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov expressed firm support for China on issues concerning Taiwan, Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Xizang.

"Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari said Pakistan firmly upholds the one-China principle and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, which is beyond any doubt.

"Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro noted there is but one China in the world and in the UN-centered international system. This is a fact that is beyond doubt. Any attempt to undermine the one-China principle is doomed to failure.

"Kiribati President and Foreign Minister Taneti Maamau stated support for the right position that China upholds on ensuring national reunification, sovereignty and territorial integrity and Kiribati's commitment to UNGA Resolution 2758.

"The 33rd Ordinary Session of the Council of the League of Arab States at the Summit Level adopted a resolution reaffirming the commitment to the one-China principle.

"The Prime Minister of Guyana Mark Phillips noted he does not support Taiwan in joining any international organization that requires sovereign statehood or participating in international conferences.

"The Prime Minister of Tonga Hu'akavameiliku said Tonga is committed to the one-China principle and firmly supports UNGA Resolution 2758. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that on the Taiwan question, Russia supports China in realizing national reunification and this position is very clear.

"The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia Marko Djuric said Serbia has only one policy on the Taiwan question, that is the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the friendly and brotherly China is inviolable. Serbia firmly supports the one-China principle, recognizes China within its full borders and believes that how to resolve issues including the Taiwan question is China's own affair.

"Sri Lanka's Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, Botswana's Speaker of the National Assembly Phandu Tombola Chaka Skelemani, Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith, Office of the Palestinian President, Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization, Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Executive Director of the South Centre and Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization openly reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the one-China principle, following the UNGA Resolution 2758 and opposing all forms of 'Taiwan independence' separatism.

"As Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi pointed out, the one-China principle cannot be violated, separatist attempts for 'Taiwan independence' are doomed to fail and the general trend of China's reunification is irreversible.

"Each time 'Taiwan independence' separatists make waves, it reinforces the global consensus that the one-China principle must be upheld and garners understanding and support for China's position—a good example of the old Chinese adage 'a just cause enjoys the support of many.' The abiding commitment of the international community to the one-China principle is unshakable and the trend of the history of China realizing complete reunification is unstoppable. Anyone trying to challenge the one-China principle and hinder China's reunification is attempting the impossible and will only wreck their own reputation."[2]

"Taiwan Is An Inalienable Part Of China's Territory"; "The Historical Trend Of China's Reunification Cannot Be Reversed"

Hubei Media Group: "We noted lawmakers and former political figures from a handful of countries that have diplomatic relations with China attended the 'inauguration ceremony' of Lai Ching-te or sent congratulations to Lai. What's China's comment?"

Wang Wenbin: "China strongly opposes official interaction of any form between China's Taiwan region and countries that have diplomatic relations with China. This position is consistent and clear. The wrongful words and actions of a handful of countries and political figures violate the one-China principle and basic norms governing international relations, constitute blatant interference in China's internal affairs, undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China, and damage the peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. China strongly condemns those words and actions.

"The one-China principle is the political foundation and prerequisite for China to grow ties with other countries. The definition of the one-China principle is very clear, that is, there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. We ask relevant countries and politicians to stop their political manipulation on the Taiwan question, stop sending any wrong signal to the 'Taiwan independence' separatists, and stop those wrongdoings that breach its credibility among the international community and hollow out the one-China principle.

"As I have said, over the past few days, political leaders and people from various sectors in many countries have reaffirmed their commitment to the one-China principle and firm support for China's just cause of opposing 'Taiwan independence' separatism and striving for national reunification. The world has spoken up for justice. This once again demonstrates that the international community's abiding commitment to the one-China principle is unshakable, the one-China principle must not be violated and the historical trend of China's reunification cannot be reversed. To use Taiwan to contain China is to play with fire and will definitely backfire. China will take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard its interests."[3]

"The Taiwan question" Is "The First Red Line That Must Not Be Crossed In China-US Relations"

Reuters: "The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has congratulated Taiwan's new leader. Does the Ministry have any comment on this?"

Wang Wenbin: "What the US has done seriously violates the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués, and breaches its political commitment to maintaining only cultural, commercial, and other unofficial relations with the Taiwan region. This sends a seriously wrong signal to 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces. China deplores and opposes it, and has made serious protests to the US.

"There is but one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. The Taiwan question is at the very core of China's core interests and is the first red line that must not be crossed in China-US relations. China firmly opposes official interaction in any form between Taiwan and the US and opposes US interference in Taiwan affairs in any form or under any pretext. We urge the US to correct its wrongdoing at once, act on President Biden's commitment of not supporting 'Taiwan independence,' 'two Chinas' or 'one China, one Taiwan' and not using Taiwan as a tool to contain China, stop fudging and hollowing out the one-China principle, stop emboldening and supporting 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces in any form and stop disrupting peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

"'Taiwan independence' leads nowhere and anyone who connives at and supports 'Taiwan independence' is doomed to failure. No external interference can hold back the trend toward China's reunification. Any attempt to challenge the one-China principle and endanger China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity will be met with China's resolute response."[4]

China Accuses Taiwan Of Bribing Guatemalan Leaders

Beijing Youth Daily: "Recently, Taiwan's "foreign affairs department" issued a statement protesting the mainland's condemnation over the Taiwan authorities' bribery of Guatemalan leaders and officials in exchange for political support. What's your comment?"

Wang Wenbin: "The facts and evidence on DPP authorities' 'dollar diplomacy' with Guatemala are clear and solid. Guatemala's former president openly admitted that when in office, he had received bribery from the Taiwan authorities in exchange for maintaining so-called 'diplomatic relations' with Taiwan. Last year, Taiwan's hospital project in Guatemala was involved in a corruption case. Relevant Guatemalan officials were put into jail. This is just one example of the Taiwan authorities' 'dollar diplomacy.' No matter how angrily they protest or try to deny it, the fact that they sought political support through 'dollar diplomacy' will not change.

"Around the world, 183 countries have established diplomatic ties with China. That proves the DPP authorities' reckless pursuit of 'Taiwan independence' and secession to be futile and self-deceptive. Whatever the DPP authorities does, it will not shake the one-China principle, and will not hinder the unstoppable trend toward China's reunification. We hope that Guatemala and the very few other countries will come to recognize where the trend leads and make the right decision soon."[5]

"Taiwan Independence Is Doomed To Failure"

Anadolu Agency: "Taiwan's new leader Lai Ching-te was inaugurated today. And in his first speech, he said China and Taiwan are not subordinate to each other and emphasized Taiwan has sovereignty. What's China's comments?"

Wang Wenbin: "I'd refer you to competent authorities on specific questions. Let me stress that 'Taiwan independence' leads nowhere. No matter what banner or pretext the separatists use, 'Taiwan independence' is doomed to failure."[6]

Taiwan's Participation In The UN System Would Challenge "The Post-WWII International Order"

CCTV: "For some time, some in the US have been spreading claims that distort UNGA Resolution 2758, saying that the Resolution 'did not make a determination on the status of Taiwan...and does not preclude Taiwan's meaningful participation in the UN system.' What is your comment?"

Wang Wenbin: "Taiwan is not a country. It has been an inalienable part of China's territory since ancient times. The international community has long reached the conclusion on this. It is a vital component of the post-WWII international order. The 1943 Cairo Declaration explicitly demands that 'all the territories Japan has stolen from the Chinese, such as Manchuria, Formosa, and the Pescadores, shall be restored' to China. The 1945 Potsdam Proclamation further stipulates that the 'terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out.' Japan in both the 1945 Japanese Instrument of Surrender and the 1972 China-Japan Joint Communiqué pledged to observe the above-mentioned term of the Potsdam Proclamation. Be it in legal or factual terms, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China.

"UNGA Resolution 2758 settled the question of who shall represent the whole of China, that is, the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, including Taiwan, at the UN. The Resolution made it clear that there is but one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China and a non-sovereign entity. It reaffirmed the one-China principle. Over the past half a century and more since the adoption of the Resolution, UN secretaries-general and their spokespersons, in their Taiwan-related remarks, have clearly stated the UN is guided by UNGA Resolution 2758 and committed to the one-China principle. The official legal opinions of the Office of Legal Affairs of the UN Secretariat made it pretty clear that Taiwan is 'an integral part' of China and that 'the United Nations considers 'Taiwan' as a province of China with no separate status.' The number of countries that have established diplomatic relations with China on the basis of the one-China principle has jumped from over 60 to 183. This clearly demonstrates that the one-China principle is not only a prevailing international consensus, but also a basic norm of international relations.

"Some in the US claim that UNGA Resolution 2758 'did not make a determination on the status of Taiwan' and 'does not preclude Taiwan's meaningful participation in the UN system.' This is a lie. They are trying to reopen the closed case that Taiwan is part of China—a matter already settled by the international community once and for all—to deny UNGA Resolution 2758 and the one-China principle. This move that turns back the wheel of history is a challenge to not only China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, but also international justice and conscience and the post-WWII international order. This is extremely preposterous and dangerous.

"China will and must achieve reunification. No one or force can hold it back. Our message to some in the US: The trend of the world is surging forward. Those who follow the trend will prosper; those who go against it will perish. Those who challenge the one-China principle will be swept away by the trend of the times; those who turn back the wheel of history will be run over by it."[7]

"The Pursuit Of 'Taiwan independence' Is A Dead End"

CCTV: "At recent events for friendly exchanges, leaders from various countries and international organizations and people from various social sectors who are friendly towards China have openly stated their commitment to the one-China principle, support for China's effort to uphold sovereignty and territorial integrity, and opposition to 'Taiwan independence' separatism and external interference in China's internal affairs. What's China's comment?"

Wang Wenbin: "Over the past few days, leaders and political parties from countries that have diplomatic relations with China, people from various sectors friendly towards China and heads of major international organizations attended friendly exchange activities organized by China to review the journey of establishing diplomatic ties with China and achievements of cooperation with China. They all speak with a strong voice for the just commitment to the one-China principle and demonstrated a firm stance against 'Taiwan independence' separatism and external interference in the Taiwan question.

"The one-China principle is a prevailing consensus in the international community, a basic norm governing international relations and also the political foundation and premise for China to develop relations with countries in the world. Facts prove once and again that upholding the one-China principle is a universal consensus and is where global opinion trends and the arc of history bends. The overwhelming majority of countries and international and regional organizations in the world stand firmly with the Chinese government and people and support China's just cause of opposing 'Taiwan independence' and promoting reunification.

"I want to stress that there is but one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. The government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. No matter what political changes may take place in Taiwan, it cannot change the historical and legal fact that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one and the same China, the world's abiding commitment to the one-China principle, and still less the historical trend that China will and must achieve reunification.

"The political manipulation and self-serving stunts on the Taiwan question by certain politicians in a handful of countries grossly interfere in China's internal affairs and violate the one-China principle. China strongly condemns this and will take all necessary measures to firmly uphold national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"Nothing shall hold back the trend of history. The pursuit of 'Taiwan independence' is a dead end. External interference in China's internal affairs and encouragement and support for 'Taiwan independence' will lead nowhere. Using Taiwan to contain China is doomed to failure. The Chinese people's just cause of opposing 'Taiwan independence' separatism and striving for national reunification will enjoy wider and wider understanding and support from the international community. The day will come when China will be fully reunified."[8]