China warns Taiwan ruling party presidential candidate not to seek independence

Last Updated on November 29, 2023 10:05 am

A spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council has issued a warning to Taiwan’s ruling party presidential candidate not to seek independence.

Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party is fielding Vice President Lai Ching-te for January’s presidential election.

Lai and New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih of the largest opposition party Kuomintang, and former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je of the second largest opposition Taiwan People’s Party, filed their candidacies last week.

Spokesperson Chen Binhua on Wednesday held his first news conference since the Taiwan presidential election registries were closed.

Chen stressed that Lai’s adherence to “Taiwan independence” and provocation in collaboration with outside forces would only invite tension and unrest across the Taiwan Strait, and would come to a deadlock.

He warned that “Taiwan independence” would mean war.

Lai has made clear he would work with the United States, Japan and others to counter pressure from China.

Reporters asked Chen about the other candidates, Hou and Ko, who are seeking to expand further exchanges with China.

The spokesperson only said his office will work with the Kuomintang and other Taiwanese parties, groups, and people in various sectors to continue efforts to put cross-strait relations back on the right track of peace and development.