Mainland harshly criticizes Truss' Taiwan visit

The Democratic Progressive Party has spent Taiwan taxpayers' money to pay for politicians to go to the island and "seek independence dependent on foreign forces", which cannot change the fact Taiwan is part of China, a mainland spokesman said on Wednesday commenting on former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Liz Truss's visit to Taiwan.

Taiwan media reported Truss was invited by Taiwan's Prospect Foundation, which has attempted to recruit foreign forces for this purpose, Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said, adding the foundation has been placed under punitive measures by the mainland.

"No matter how much money the DPP spends or how many twists and turns they make, they can not change the fact Taiwan is part of China nor shake the one-China pattern," he said.

Truss's visit to Taiwan is a provocative move causing strong indignation among the Chinese people, a statement issued by China's embassy in the UK earlier Wednesday morning said.

Truss's act will harm the UK and will be firmly rejected by people with conscience from all walks of life, it said.

The one-China principle is the political foundation and important prerequisite for the establishment and development of diplomatic relations between China and the UK, the document read, also stating any responsible politician should abide by the one-China principle instead of manipulating state-to-state relations for political gain.

"Taiwan independence" activities and support from foreign forces are the greatest threat to peace across the Taiwan Strait, the embassy said, adding Truss and the like are colluding with secessionist forces to provoke confrontation and escalate tensions across the Taiwan Strait.

The Taiwan question is at the core of China's core interests. Any violation of the one-China principle will have serious consequences for China-UK relations, it said, urging Truss to stop making political shows out of the Taiwan question.

Wang Wenbin, spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, said on Wednesday afternoon China's position on the Taiwan question is consistent and clear. Wang said he also noticed there has been a flurry of criticism in the UK about Truss's move, calling the trip showmanship and a disservice to her country.