Lin Zhen, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Regular Briefing
"Must Stop Providing a Platform for Taiwan Independence Forces"
On the 18th, China expressed its "firm opposition" to Taiwan's participation in the '3rd Democracy Summit' held in South Korea. China insists that South Korea must adhere to the "One China" principle.
Lin Zhen, the newly appointed spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated at a regular briefing that day, "China firmly opposes South Korea inviting the so-called Taiwan authorities to the 'Democracy Summit.'
Spokesperson Lin said, "There is only one 'China' in the world, and Taiwan is an inseparable part of Chinese territory," adding, "The government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing all of China. Any external forces interfering in China's internal affairs or urging and supporting Taiwan independence are doomed to fail."
He continued, "China urges South Korea to abide by the 'One China' principle and stop providing a platform for Taiwan independence forces," emphasizing, "The Democratic Progressive Party authorities' scheme and actions to expand the space for Taiwan independence activities under the banner of democracy and human rights cannot deceive the world and only bring humiliation upon themselves, inevitably leading to failure."
The Democracy Summit was first hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden in 2021 with the aim of restoring fundamental democratic values, and this is the first time it is being held outside the United States, with South Korea as the host. The summit will be held in Seoul for three days starting from this day and will consist of ministerial meetings, civil society events, and virtual summits.
China has criticized the United States for dividing the international community through the Democracy Summit. In a commentary published the day before, China's Xinhua News Agency also argued that South Korea's hosting of this Democracy Summit at the 'Democracy Summit unrelated to democracy' was playing the role of a 'pawn' for the United States.
Xinhua News Agency further claimed, "The international community has clearly seen the essence of the United States politicizing, instrumentalizing, and weaponizing so-called 'American-style democracy,' causing division and confrontation in the name of fake democracy to protect its own hegemony."
Chinese authorities also made statements supporting Xinhua News Agency's critical commentary. Spokesperson Lin said that day, "I will not comment on the media's perspective," but added, "In principle, China has consistently opposed drawing ideological lines and instrumentalizing and weaponizing democracy issues. Such methods themselves violate the spirit of democracy."
Spokesperson Lin added, "What the world needs now is not division in the name of democracy but strengthening unity and cooperation based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and promoting the democratization of international relations," and "China is willing to engage in exchanges and mutual reference with other countries on democracy and related issues on the basis of mutual respect."
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