Q: New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) posted a statement on its social media account, expressing concern over the recent large-scale military exercises around Taiwan Island. What is the comment of the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand on this?

A: The relevant post released by New Zealand’s MFAT confuses right and wrong, and we are firmly opposed to it.

Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. The Taiwan question is purely an internal affair of China, which brooks no interference from any external forces.

At present, the Taiwan authorities are obstinately pursuing separatism by colluding with foreign forces in a vain attempt to split China, and external forces are conniving at and supporting such acts. These are the biggest threat and the fundamental destabilizing factor to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

The one-China principle is a prevailing international consensus and basic norm in international relations. It is also the political foundation of China-New Zealand relations. We urge the New Zealand side to earnestly abide by its  one-China commitment, be cautious in words and deeds, and uphold—rather than undermine or erode—the political foundation for the steady development of bilateral relations.