Q: Recently, a handful of countries having diplomatic ties with Taiwan, including Nauru and Gambia, submitted a proposal to the Secretary-General on Taiwan's participation in the activities of UN specialized agencies. How do you comment?

A: It is known to all that the UN and its specialized agencies are intergovernmental organizations whose membership is open only for sovereign states. There's only one China in the world with Taiwan part of it. The so-called proposal on "Taiwan's participation in the United Nations specialized agencies" submitted by a handful of countries including Nauru and Gambia is an attempt to create "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan". It infringes upon China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and intervenes in China's domestic affairs, which will be firmly opposed by the Chinese Government and people.

Currently, sound momentum of improvement and development is witnessed in Cross-Strait relations. Any action to stage "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan" in the world will exert negative impact on it. China urges a handful of countries including Nauru and Gambia to abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and stop making obstacles for the peaceful development of Cross-Strait relations. The Chinese Government calls upon all countries to continue to follow the One China principle, understand and support the efforts of the Chinese Government to maintain and promote the peaceful development of Cross-Strait relations.

The Chinese Government attaches great importance to the wellbeing of the 23 million Taiwan compatriots. The issue of their participation in international activities should be solved by all the Chinese on both sides of the Strait through consultation. We firmly believe that so long as the two sides make joint efforts to establish mutual trust, shelve disputes, seek common ground while reserving differences, and achieve win-win outcomes, they can create conditions for a proper resolution through dialogue and consultation.