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Taipei, Mar 5 (EFE).- Taiwan on Tuesday reacted sharply to China’s hardened reunification push after Prime Minister Li Qiang said his country was firm in its stance on the self-governed island.
“The Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign independent country and is not subordinate to the People’s Republic of China, the latter of which has never ruled Taiwan,” Taiwanese Foreign Ministry spokesman Jeff Liu told reporters.
The spokesperson said Li’s remarks “are of the same old tune that Taiwan is a province of China,” asserting that any distortion of the island’s sovereignty “will not change the reality.”
“Taiwan will continue to uphold the values of democracy and freedom and work with like-minded countries to maintain global and regional peace and stability,” the spokesperson said, according to Taiwan’s national broadcaster, RTI.
During the annual National People’s Congress, the country’s top legislature, Li said China would “resolutely oppose” all “separatist activities aimed at Taiwan independence” as well as “external interference” on the island.
“We will promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, be firm in advancing the cause of China’s reunification, and uphold the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation,” the Chinese premier said.
“We will improve the well-being of Chinese people on both sides so that together, we can realize the glorious cause of national rejuvenation.”
China claims sovereignty over Taiwan, where Chiang Kai-shek’s nationalist army retreated after losing the war with the communists.
The island has been governed autonomously since 1949, while Beijing considers it a rebel province and has not ruled out the use of force for a “reunification.” EFE
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