The Chinese Embassy in Australia criticised a statement issued by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, saying that it distorted facts and mixed truth with falsehood, and called on Canberra to honour its political commitments regarding Chinese Taiwan.
On Wednesday, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued a statement expressing concern over recent military exercises by the Chinese People's Liberation Army around the island of Taiwan, which is part of China.
In response, the Chinese Embassy stated that it strongly protests against this statement and firmly opposes it, and has made serious representations to the Australian side, as stated by the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy on its official website.
The spokesperson further stated that the United States recently announced a large-scale arms sale to Taiwan, which violates the one-China principle, three Sino-US joint communiqués, and commitments made by US officials. Such actions encourage the separatist forces of „Taiwan independence“ in their pursuit of independence through military build-up and external support, turning Taiwan into a „powder keg“ and „ammunition depot,“ the spokesperson added.
The spokesperson reiterated that Taiwan is an integral part of China and stated that the Taiwan issue is purely an internal affair of China and does not allow any external interference.
The embassy also stated that the one-China principle is the political foundation of Sino-Australian relations.
China urges Australia to honour its political commitments, stop interfering in China's internal affairs, stop turning a blind eye to the separatist activities of „Taiwan independence“ and create a favourable environment for the healthy and stable development of China-Australia relations, the statement said.