Mainland slams U.S. after State Department cuts line on 'Taiwan independence'

A Chinese mainland spokeswoman strongly criticized the United States on Monday for a significant regression in its stance on the Taiwan question, after the U.S. State Department removed the phrase of not supporting "Taiwan independence" on its website.

The U.S. also added a statement that the U.S. will support Taiwan's participation in international organizations where applicable. The Democratic Progressive Party in Taiwan expressed gratitude for this move.

Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said that Taiwan is an integral part of China, and The Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair and does not allow for any external interference.

She said that the U.S. seriously violated the one-China principle and the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques, which was a blatant interference in China's internal affairs.

"It sends a severe wrong signal to the separatist forces advocating for 'Taiwan independence', which will only harm peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," she added.

Zhu urged the U.S. to adhere to the one-China principle and the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques, correct its mistakes, handle the Taiwan question with extreme caution, and cease sending any signals that condone or support the separatist forces.

She also warned the DPP authorities that seeking "independence" with U.S. support is a dead-end path, and it will not change the trend of China's reunification.