Mainland official slams Japan's remarks on Taiwan

Japan and its leader have no right to make irresponsible remarks about Taiwan, the Chinese mainland's top official on Taiwan affairs said on Thursday.

Song Tao, head of both the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks at a cross-Strait exchange event in Chengdu, Sichuan province.

Song reiterated that Taiwan is part of China, and that resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese people alone, allowing no external interference.

"We have the firm will, strong resolve, and powerful capability to crush all 'Taiwan independence' separatist activities and external interference, and to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said.

He criticized the Democratic Progressive Party authorities for ignoring historical facts, going against the will of the people, and stubbornly adhering to a "Taiwan independence" position.

"The DPP authorities have aggressively promoted separatist rhetoric, maliciously incited cross-Strait confrontation to seek 'independence' through external forces and through military means," Song said, adding that "these actions have undermined peace in the Taiwan Strait, harmed the well-being of compatriots, and seriously challenged the one-China principle".

He stressed that regardless of how "Taiwan independence" forces provoke or how external actors attempt to interfere, China will and must achieve reunification, calling it "an unstoppable trend of history".

Song also expressed hope that Taiwan compatriots will continue to carry forward their proud tradition of patriotism.