Mainland spokesperson opposes Lai’s planned US transit, urges the US side to strictly adhere to one-China principle

In response to media inquiries regarding Taiwan regional leader Lai Ching-te's reported "visit" to Paraguay, Guatemala, and Belize, with planned "transit" stops in New York and Dallas, Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, stated on Wednesday, "We firmly oppose any form of official interaction between the US and China's Taiwan region, and resolutely oppose Lai's 'transit' stops in the US under any pretext or in any form."

Chen urged the US side to strictly abide by the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-US joint communiqués, and to handle Taiwan-related issues with prudence so as to avoid sending any wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces. "We sternly warn the Lai authorities: seeking 'independence' by relying on the US is futile and doomed to fail," Chen said.

The one-China principle is a consensus of the international community and a basic norm in international relations, upheld by the vast majority of countries around the world. It is where justice lies, reflects the people's aspiration, and aligns with the trend of the times, Chen added. He expressed hope that the relevant Latin American and Caribbean countries will recognize the overarching trend, handle Taiwan-related matters with caution, and join the big family of China-Latin America friendship and cooperation.