China criticizes overture by US to Taiwan on UN

The United States' mission to the United Nations has "gravely" interfered with China's internal affairs by openly supporting Taiwan's participation in the UN, said a spokesperson for the Permanent Mission of China to the UN.

The US mission to the UN on Friday, via Twitter, openly supported the Taiwan region participating in the UN.

A spokesperson for the Permanent Mission of China to the UN responded, saying this is "a serious violation of Resolution 2758 of the UN General Assembly, the three joint communiques between China and the United States, and China's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

"It gravely interferes with China's internal affairs and deeply hurts the feelings of the 1.4 billion Chinese people," the spokesperson said on the same day. "The Chinese mission hereby expresses strong indignation and firm opposition."

The spokesperson reiterated that there is only one China in the world. The government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China.

"The one-China principle enjoys popular support and meets the call of the times, and represents the consensus of the international community. Resolution 2758 of the UN General Assembly has restored the lawful seat of the People's Republic of China at the UN and affirmed the one-China principle at the organization, which has been strictly observed across the UN system and widely respected by UN member states," he said.

The Chinese spokesperson said the US mission is in no position to speak for the Taiwan region using the UN's openness to diverse views as a pretense.

The United States has repeatedly used visa issuance to block or delay access of member states or civil society to UN activities.

"This points to the hypocrisy of the US position," he said.

While the COVID-19 pandemic is raging across the world, people of all countries are calling for international solidarity in fighting the outbreak.

The spokesperson said political manipulation by the United States on an issue concerning China's core interests will poison the atmosphere for cooperation of member states at a time when unity and solidarity are most needed. The US attempt to "divert attention and shift blame is futile and cannot fool the international community".

The spokesperson stressed that the Chinese government is "rock-solid" in safeguarding China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"China strongly urges the United States to abide by the one-China principle, the three joint communiques between the two countries, and UNGA Resolution 2578, and immediately stop backing the Taiwan region, politicizing and undermining international response to the pandemic," he added.