Attempt to split China not to be tolerated: spokesperson

A Chinese mainland spokesperson said Wednesday that any attempt to separate Taiwan from China will not be tolerated.

Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks in response to a question on Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen's recent comments in an interview.

Tsai said that no one could exclude the possibility that the Chinese mainland would resort to using arms against Taiwan.

"Since Tsai assumed office in May 2016, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has refused to adhere to the 1992 Consensus, and unilaterally undermined the political basis of peaceful development of cross-Strait relations," Ma said.

The DPP has been obstructing cross-Strait communication and cooperation, cracking down on and persecuting organizations and individuals that support the development of cross-Strait relations and peaceful reunification, Ma said.

"Taiwan should be fully responsible for the complex and grave situation in cross-Strait relations," he said.

"In face of greater risks and challenges in cross-Strait relations, we are fully confident in our capability to promote the development of our relations by upholding peaceful reunification and the 'one country, two systems' principle," Ma said.

He also noted that the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations had changed dramatically and the interests of Taiwanese compatriots had been damaged since the DPP took power in 2016.

"The DPP administration has discriminated against Taiwanese compatriots' spouses from the mainland, and infringed their rights and interests, which is inhuman," the spokesperson said.

Tsai used the term "Taiwan value" in the interview, but Ma pointed out that separate Taiwan culture from the Chinese culture would bring disaster to the island, and would separate the interests of Taiwanese people from the interests of the Chinese nation.

Ma urged Taiwan to uphold the one-China principle and consult with the mainland before participating in activities held by international organizations.

Taiwan participated in the World Health Assembly for eight consecutive years from 2009 to 2016 when both sides recognized the 1992 Consensus and opposed "Taiwan independence."