China resolutely opposes Japanese PM meeting with personnel from Taiwan: spokesperson

BEIJING, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday reiterated its opposition to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent meeting with personnel of the authorities of China's Taiwan region, urging Japan to reflect on its historical guilt and adhere to the one-China principle.

"There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is part of China," Zhang Han, a new spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a press conference in response to a media query.

Japan's actions severely violated the one-China principle, the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan, and the basic norms governing international relations, sending an extremely wrong signal to secessionists on the island, said Zhang.

"We express our resolute opposition," she added.

Given Japan's historical crimes and responsibilities regarding the Taiwan question, the spokesperson said Japan in particular should engage in deep reflection on history, abide by the one-China principle and the spirit of the four political documents between the two countries -- and exercise extra prudence when handling matters involving the island.

On Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, Takaichi posted photos and comments on social media about her meeting and exchange with personnel of the authorities of China's Taiwan region on the sidelines of APEC meetings.

China's foreign ministry said on Saturday that China expresses its firm opposition to the Japanese leader's wrongful comment and action concerning Taiwan and has lodged serious démarches and protests with the Japanese side.

At Wednesday's press conference, Zhang also warned the Democratic Progressive Party authorities in Taiwan against any attempts to bank on external forces to seek secession, saying that any attempt to split Taiwan from China is wishful thinking.

"Such attempts will only end in even worse failure," she said. ■