China opposes Taiwan party leader's visit to Japan

BEIJING: China today firmly opposed Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen's proposed visit to Japan next month, saying that it goes against the One-China principle.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei called on Japan to adhere to the One-China principle and honour its commitment to China on Taiwan-related issues.

"Japan should refrain from providing platforms for anybody in any name or pretext for spreading Taiwan-independence remarks," Hong told a media briefing here.

Taiwan issue concerns China's core interests, he said.

Japan in the past unheld the One-China policy and not supporting "Taiwan independence" or "UN membership referendum" by Taiwan authorities, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

China maintains that Taiwan is part of it and objects to any foreign country having diplomatic relations with the island under the the One-China policy.

Relations between the mainland and Taiwan stalled when the Kuomintang KMT forces, led by Chiang Kai-shek, fled to Taiwan in 1949 after defeat in a civil war.