China urges U.S. Congress not to send wrong signals to Taiwan separatists

China is determined in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and opposing "Taiwan independence" and interference by external forces

After the US Senate passed a bill last Thursday demanding the State Department to submit a plan to help the Taiwan region restore its observer status at the World Health Organization, China on Thursday asked the US Congress not to give any negative signals to "Taiwan independence" groups (WHO).

China has made strong remarks to the US side, expressing strong discontent and resolute opposition to the US Senate move, according to Hua Chunying, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry.

The root cause of the current tension and disturbance in cross-Strait relations lies in the Democratic Progressive Party authority refusing to recognize the 1992 Consensus which embodies the one-China principle, strengthening contacts with external forces and making provocations in pursuit of "Taiwan independence," he said.

"On the political basis of adhering to the 1992 Consensus and opposing 'Taiwan independence,' we stand ready to conduct dialogue and consultation with all political parties, groups, and personages in the Taiwan region so that we can resolve differences and build up consensus on political issues across the Strait and on issues related to promoting the peaceful reunification of China," Zhao said.

The Taiwan region's participation in WHO activities must be handled in accordance with the One-China principle, Hua said.

China is determined in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and opposing "Taiwan independence" and interference by external forces, the spokesperson said.

"We urge the U.S. Congress to fully realize the high sensitivity of Taiwan-related issues," the spokesperson said, and "not to help Taiwan expand its so-called 'international space.'"