A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Sunday said that the failure of a recall vote targeting opposition lawmakers in Taiwan's local legislature shows that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)'s political manipulation runs against the will of the people.
During the vote on Saturday, the Kuomintang party scored a sweeping victory, retaining all 24 seats.
Responding to the outcome, Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said the DPP, driven by its pursuit of "Taiwan independence" and avarice for one-party monopoly, repeatedly stirred up political strife at the expense of Taiwan people's well-being.
The DPP has resorted to every means to suppress political dissent, create "green terror" and deepen social division, fully revealing its hypocritical nature of "fake democracy, real authoritarianism," Chen said.
When asked to comment on US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's announcement on sanction imposition on Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, Armed Forces Minister General Alvaro Lopez Miera and Interior Minister Lazaro Alberto Alvarez Casas, citing human rights violations as the reason, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Tuesday that China firmly opposes the US using the so-called human rights pretext to impose unilateral sanctions and interfere in Cuba's internal affairs.
The US announced its first sanctions on Friday against Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel for his role "in the Cuban regime's brutality toward the Cuban people," AFP reported.
The US has maintained a comprehensive blockade and illegal sanctions against Cuba for over 60 years, causing severe suffering to the Cuban people. Sanctions should be lifted immediately, rather than intensified, Lin said.
Lin said that China firmly supports Cuba in pursuing a development path that suits its national conditions and in safeguarding its sovereignty and dignity.
Lin urged the US to immediately lift the blockade and sanctions against Cuba and to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. "I would like to emphasize that if the US truly cares about human rights, it should reflect on its own human rights violations in Guantanamo and around the world over the years," Lin said.
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.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called for more joint endeavors between Chinese and Australian medical technology researchers during his third stop in his China visit.
He has attended a Medical Technology lunch in Chengdu on Thursday promoting bilateral business deals in the space, including the manufacture of Australian-owned Cochlear hearing devices in western China, Australian media outlet SBS news reported.
"Australia is a world leader in medical research. And Australian and Chinese scientists are working together towards new breakthroughs. Today in Chengdu, we brought together leaders in the medical technology industry from Australia and China. Together, our two countries can bring new hope and better health to people right across the world," Albanese posted on X.
Albanese is paying an official visit to China from July 12 to 18, traveling to Shanghai and Beijing, with Chengdu marking the final leg of his trip.
On Thursday, the Australian Prime Minister visited giant panda Fu Ni in Chengdu, who returned to China from Australia last year. Albanese wrote on social media that the "cute" panda is part of a "long-standing friendship between Australia and China."
As Taiwan's regional leader Lai Ching-te is reportedly preparing to visit Central and South America next month, meaning Lai will likely to make a "transit" stop in the US, there has been mounting speculation within the island about how much "transit fee" Lai will have to pay.
The spokesperson for the US State Department claimed that "transits of the US by high-level Taiwan officials are in line with past practice, and fully consistent with its policy,"Straits Times reported on Friday, although the spokesperson didn't confirm Lai would transit.
Spokespersons of Chinese Foreign Ministry and the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office had voiced firm opposition separately on Tuesday and Wednesday to any form of official interaction between the US and China's Taiwan region, and denounced Lai's attempt to "transit" through the US under any pretext or in any form.
Both urged the US to strictly abide by the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-US joint communiques, to handle Taiwan questions with utmost prudence, and to refrain from sending any wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.
In recent days, there has been much discussion within the island regarding the amount of the "transit fee" that Lai will have to pay.
With the current US government reshaping US relations with the world, Lai's "transit" through the country will inevitably come with a hefty "toll" or "transit fee," Taiwan's United Daily News said.
Some opinions also hold that Lai's trip may not be able to proceed. Analysts say one factor that could derail the stopover would be relatively better US-China ties, which could prompt the US president to cancel Lai's visit, according to South China Morning Post.
Given various subjective and objective factors, Lai may find it hard to get what he wants, Macao-based Jornal San Wa Ou reported. Even if he can land in New York, his activities may be strictly restricted. "If that's the case, it will be self - humiliation, and it would be better not to go," the report said.
The primary purpose of Lai's visit is not about his upcoming August trip to Paraguay, but rather to use "transit" through the US as a way to showcase the latter's support for the island, Zheng Jian, a professor at the Taiwan Research Institute of Xiamen University, told the Global Times on Friday.
The expert also characterized the remarks by the US as part of Washington's habitual use of the "Taiwan card." In exchange for a "transit" opportunity, Lai may offer concessions in trade or security, such as increasing arms purchases from the US or aligning more closely with US strategies to contain China, Zheng noted.
Lai's visit reflects the mindset of sacrificing Taiwan's long-term interests for partisan gains — a move that, experts said, typifies the approach of the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces on the island.
A top Chinese warplane designer said that future fighter jets will incorporate unmanned systems, artificial intelligence (AI), as well as other advanced technologies, moreover, they should be produced like mobile phones. A Chinese expert said that this vision is highly forward-looking, signifying a substantial enhancement in the nation's all-encompassing capabilities across domains.
During the recent visit of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy aircraft carrier Shandong to Hong Kong, the newly developed carrier-based fighter jet J-15T made its public debut on the carrier's deck, attracting widespread attention.
Sun Cong, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, also the chief designer of China's J-15 carrier-borne fighter jet, stated in an exclusive interview that unmanned system operations and AI will certainly be applied to fighter jets, the CCTV News military channel reported on Tuesday.
He explained that the J-15 focuses on energy maneuverability and weapon use, while the J-35 will emphasize informationization and speed — prioritizing rapid response throughout the entire process from detection and engagement to withdrawal.
"With advances in technology, China's carrier-based aircraft will become more intelligent in the future," Sun noted.
Sun also said that the production speed of aircraft will accelerate in the future, noting, "We need to produce aircraft the way we produce mobile phones."
He added that the analogy of producing aircraft like mobile phones means all functions will be software-based, with the platform and functions designed independently. When the platform is modified, integrating the functions will result in something new, Sun said.
Highlighting the need to accelerate aircraft development, the chief designer noted that the research and development cycle for an aircraft typically spans roughly 15 to 20 years. "But if other countries start introducing new innovations every five years, we'll quickly fall behind at our current pace," he warned.
Wang Ya'nan, chief editor of Beijing-based Aerospace Knowledge magazine, told the Global Times that Sun's remarks are highly forward-looking, as they offer a phased target for development.
This means future aircraft would need highly standardized interfaces to allow for plug-and-play upgrades, as well as open architectures with both forward and backward compatibility, according to Wang.
Enabling aircraft to upgrade like mobile phones implies a major leap in capabilities across all aspects of the aircraft's complex systems, enabling rapid and flexible system-wide iteration, the expert noted.
The Ministry of Commerce announced on Wednesday that it has added 8 entities from China's Taiwan region to the export control list. These companies have deliberately cooperated with the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, a spokesperson for the ministry said in a statement.
The decision was made to maintain national sovereignty, territorial integrity, as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, and in accordance with Chinese laws and regulations, according to the statement. The export of dual-use items to these 8 companies will be prohibited, the spokesperson said, stressing that no exporter will be allowed to violate these control measures.
The Global Times noted that the listed enterprises are key military-industrial research and manufacturing institutions in the island of Taiwan, covering various fields such as aviation, missiles, ships, and submarines.
Experts reached by the Global Times on Wednesday said that this move sends a strong political signal that the Chinese mainland will take firm countermeasures against the Lai Ching-te administration's actions aimed at attempting to "seek independence through military buildup," and will also take actions against entities that assist or serve as accomplices in those efforts.
'Military projects involved'
According to the announcement, the eight listed enterprises include Aerospace Industrial Development Corp., GEOSAT Aerospace & Technology Inc., National Chung-Shan Institute of Science & Technology, JC Technology Inc., CSBC Corporation, Taiwan, Jong Shyn Shipbuilding Co., Ltd, Lungteh Shipbuilding Co., Ltd and Gong Wei Co., Ltd. The Global Times found that all these entities are involved in military-industrial projects in the island and are considered "accomplices" in the Lai administration's efforts to "seek foreign support" and "seek independence through military buildup."
Among these, Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. is responsible for developing military aircraft models such as the island of Taiwan's Air Force Ching-Kuo Fighter jets and the Yung-ying (Brave Edge) advanced trainer aircraft. It also participates in the maintenance and upgrade of F-16 fighter jets purchased by the Taiwan military from the US.
With the increasing importance of drones in modern military conflicts, Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. also undertakes the development of the island of Taiwan's military drone projects. It is a key member of the so-called "Taiwan Excellence Drone International Business Opportunities Alliance," which aims to promote the integration and upgrading of Taiwan's drone industry through resource integration, technological cooperation, and industry alliances, thereby enhancing Taiwan's strategic position in the global supply chain for drones.
GEOSAT Aerospace & Technology Inc. primarily focuses on the development of drones. The company's leader, Luo Zhengfang, publicly stated that its goal is to "cut off" the dependency of Taiwan's drone manufacturers on Chinese mainland components and develop 100 percent Taiwan-made military drones to strengthen the island's "asymmetric warfare" capabilities. The company has already delivered naval reconnaissance drones and army micro-drones to the so-called "defense authority" on the island.
National Chung-Shan Institute of Science & Technology is the main force behind Taiwan's military equipment development. The island of Taiwan's currently deployed Tien Kung air defense missile series, the Tien Chien missile series, Hsiung Feng anti-ship missile series, and Thunderbolt 2000 multiple rocket launcher system were all developed by the institute. The institute is also engaged in the development of Taiwan's anti-tank weapon systems and unmanned equipment.
JC Technology Inc. is another Taiwan company focused on the development of drones. The company has participated in a program by the so-called "defense authority" on the island, which aims to produce commercial-grade drones with defense applications, and has developed the Flyingfish suicide drone, which is touted as Taiwan's version of the Switchblade, which is a miniature loitering munition designed by US manufacturer AeroVironment.
CSBC Corporation, Taiwan is a major contractor for the Taiwan navy, involved in the development of Taiwan's amphibious transport dock Yu Shan and the Panshih-class fast combat support ship, as well as the Ching Chiang-class patrol corvette and Cheng Kung-class frigates. Currently, the company is also responsible for the development of Taiwan's self-made submarine, the Hai Kun.
Jong Shyn Shipbuilding Co., Ltd is mainly responsible for the development of Taiwan's coast guard patrol vessels. The largest patrol ships in Taiwan's coast guard, Yilan and Kaohsiung, were developed by this company. It also develops light air defense and anti-submarine escort ships for Taiwan's so-called "defense authority."
Lungteh Shipbuilding Co., Ltd manufactures various types of missile vessels, including Taiwan's Tuo Chiang-class guided-missile corvettes. The company is also involved in the development of unmanned ships for Taiwan's military.
Gong Wei Co., Ltd focuses on the development of specialized military and police equipment, including bulletproof vests, shields, explosion-proof coatings, anti-slash clothing, anti-cutting pants, and tactical gloves. The company was previously exposed for importing bulletproof fiber fabric from East China's Jiangsu Province, printing its logo on it, and then passing it off as "Taiwan-made" to sell to the so-called "defense authority" on the island of Taiwan, making a profit of 67 million New Taiwan dollars ($2.298 million).
Chen Guiqing, a researcher at the Institute of Taiwan Studies Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Wednesday that this countermeasure sends a strong political signal: The Chinese mainland will conduct strong countermeasures against the Lai administration's efforts to "seek independence through military buildup" and will take action against entities involved in supporting those efforts. For the specific companies involved, these measures are designed to "strike" those entities within the island of Taiwan that support "seeking independence through military buildup." 'Mainland elements embedded'
The countermeasures are highly targeted, Zheng Jian, a professor at the Taiwan Research Institute of Xiamen University, told the Global Times on Wednesday, adding that Chinese mainland elements are deeply embedded throughout the industrial chains of Taiwan's military manufacturers that have been exposed in recent years.
Zheng noted that the Taiwan regional authorities' claims of "defense self-sufficiency" are largely hollow, as there is hardly any fully self-produced military equipment. Even the companies in the list rely heavily on the Chinese mainland for components, raw materials, and key hardware and software.
The move will undoubtedly disrupt production at these firms, and could deliver a "crippling blow" to areas where the Chinese mainland controls critical materials, Zheng said.
Chen told the Global Times that companies like Gong Wei Co Ltd have long sourced large quantities of bulletproof fibers and related materials from the Chinese mainland, which holds a dominant position in the global bulletproof fiber market with an over 70 percent share.
Given this scale, the decision to place eight Taiwan-based entities on an export control list - banning the export of dual-use items and requiring an immediate halt to related trade - will inevitably have a significant impact on the island's production of bulletproof vests and other protective gear, Chen said.
The expert also noted that in the drone industry, the Chinese mainland has a well-developed and complete supply chain, and the island of Taiwan has long relied heavily on it for components and assembly.
Although Taiwan regional authorities have promoted a so-called "non-mainland supply chain" to reduce reliance on the Chinese mainland, replacing Chinese suppliers with foreign alternatives comes at a steep cost.
For example, if firms in Taiwan island switch to Australian gimbal systems for drones, the price would be significantly higher than those made in the Chinese mainland, Chen said.
The move will directly impact key technologies used in Taiwan island's domestically developed warships and other defense projects, Zhang Wensheng, deputy dean and professor at the Taiwan Research Institute of Xiamen University, told the Global Times on Wednesday.
Funding and supplies for military production will also be affected to some extent, as many of these systems rely on mainland-sourced components.
The move will also serve as a deterrent to Taiwan's ambitions to develop indigenous weapons, Zhang added.
'A ridiculous thing'
The Global Times has learned that the listed companies, while undertaking contracts from Taiwan's defense authorities, are also deeply involved in civilian sectors such as commercial aircraft, ships, public service vessels, and consumer-grade drones - highlighting their dual-use nature.
The Ministry of Commerce specifically stressed in its announcement that the export of dual-use items to these entities is now prohibited.
Zheng noted that as Taiwan regional authorities push for "defense self-sufficiency," more defense contracts are being extended to private firms.
"However, these companies are driven by profit and naturally turn to cost-effective suppliers - many of which are in the Chinese mainland," Zheng said, noting that this has led to deeply intertwined supply chains between Taiwan's defense industry and the Chinese mainland, making separation increasingly difficult.
Zheng also said that some Taiwan regional companies engage with the military under the guise of civilian operations, contributing to the Lai administration's push for "seeking independence through military buildup." These companies, he said, may face even harsher penalties in the future.
It is unacceptable for institutions to rely on mainland-made components to develop military systems while at the same time supporting Lai's provocations and separatist agenda, Zheng said, calling it fundamentally absurd.
Chen echoed that the recent moves by Taiwan regional authorities have severely strained cross-Straits relations, and the control list delivers a clear warning - if Taiwan authorities continue down the path of "seeking independence through military buildup," they will face even more serious consequences.
On one hand, Taiwan island will be completely cut off from access to key components from the Chinese mainland. On the other, should it escalate its provocations, further countermeasures from Beijing are likely to follow, Chen said.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday in Kuala Lumpur, where the two diplomats have exchanged views on the China-US relationship and issues of common concern, according to a statement by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, comprehensively outlined China's principled stance on developing bilateral ties, emphasizing that both sides should turn the important consensus reached by the two heads of state into concrete policies and actions.
Wang expressed hope that the US should approach China with an objective, rational, and pragmatic attitude, shape its China policy with the aim of peaceful coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation, and engage with China on the basis of equality, mutual respect, and reciprocity to jointly explore a proper path for China-US interaction in the new era, according to the statement.
Both sides agreed that the meeting was positive, pragmatic, and constructive. They agreed to enhance communication and dialogue through diplomatic channels and at various levels and fields, giving full play to the role of foreign affairs departments in advancing bilateral ties, managing differences, and identifying areas for expanded cooperation, the statement said.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is mulling sending special envoys to key nations this month, including China, the US, and Japan, announced the presidential office, Yonhap News Agency reported.
"It is true the government is seeking to dispatch special envoys to major nations," the presidential office said in a notice, without providing further details, citing ongoing consultations with counterparts, per Yonhap.
A presidential official said the government plans to appoint special envoys, who can appropriately explain the new government's governing philosophy and foreign policy agenda, Yonhap reported.
Maeil Business Newspaper reported that Park Byung-seok, former chairman of the National Assembly who served as chairman of the National Assembly in the first half of the 21st National Assembly, is known to be a strong candidate for China's special envoy. Park, a former journalist, is a heavyweight politician who served as a Hong Kong correspondent and served as a six-term lawmaker after entering politics.
According to Yonhap, the presidential office is reviewing a plan that includes sending envoys to 10 countries, including the European Union, Australia, Canada, France and India, as part of broader diplomatic outreach efforts. And the move is seen as an effort to lay the groundwork for summit diplomacy by sending special envoys who can brief on Lee's state affairs policy and deliver friendly messages to widen exchange.
The presidential office is also reportedly considering whether to send a special envoy to Russia amid Moscow's growing military ties with North Korea, per Yonhap.
According to Yonhap, former President Yoon Suk-yeol dispatched policy consultation delegations to the US and Japan after he was elected.
Former President Moon Jae-in had sent special envoys to the US, China, Japan, Russia and the EU early in his presidency, while his predecessor Park Geun-hye dispatchedspecial envoys to the US and China following her election.
The Chinese side has already lodged representations to India regarding this matter, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press briefing on Monday, in response to a Global Times question about Indian senior officials, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and union ministers — extending greetings to the 14th Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday.
The Chinese government's position on Xizang-related issues is consistent and clear. It is well known that the 14th Dalai Lama is a political exile who has long been engaged in anti-China separatist activities under the cloak of religion with the aim of breaking Xizang away from China, Mao said.
The Indian side should fully recognize the highly sensitive nature of Xizang-related issues, recognize the anti-China separatist nature of the 14th Dalai Lama, adhere to its commitments on Xizang-related matters, be prudent in its words and deeds, and stop using Xizang-related issues to interfere in China's internal affairs, the spokesperson added.
