Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Mao Ning expressed Beijing’s opposition to meetings planned for next week between officials from that southern Chinese island and representatives of the US government.

“We strongly urge the US side to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint statements, implement the commitments made by US leaders on Taiwan-related issues, and handle these issues prudently,” Mao added. Beijing has repeatedly expressed that reunification is unstoppable and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, based on the 1992 Consensus and the one-China principle.

At present, 183 countries, including the United States, support this policy, however, Washington is one of Taiwan’s leading allies and has sold arms to that region, a move that analysts seek to contain China.

mh/iff/jha/idm