Zhang Ming, head of the Chinese Mission to the European Union, delivers a keynote speech at a meeting in Brussels, Belgium, March 3, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhang Cheng)
Zhang expressed the hope that, while the China-EU relations are in an important stage of development, MEPs could play a constructive role, follow the one-China principle in good faith, and refrain from sending any wrong signal to those seeking "Taiwan independence".
BRUSSELS, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Head of the Chinese Mission to the European Union (EU) Zhang Ming has written back to two members of the European Parliament (MEP) to explain why they were wrong on the issue concerning Czech Senate president's planned visit to Taiwan.
According to a statement published on the Mission's website on Friday, Zhang has spelt out China's position on the Taiwan question in his reply letters to Reinhard Butikofer and Maria Spyraki, who had written to the ambassador expressing their "concern" about China's opposition to the planned trip.
Zhang pointed out that the Chinese Foreign Ministry and Chinese Embassy in Prague have stated China's position on various occasions on the planned visit to Taiwan by president of the Czech Senate.
Underlining that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory, and Taiwan affairs are China's internal affairs, Zhang said the one-China principle, which is well recognized by the international community including the United Nations and the EU, is a prerequisite and political basis for the maintenance and development of friendship and cooperation between China and other countries.
A woman walks past the European Commission headquarters at the European Quarter in Brussels, Belgium, July 19, 2020. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)
The Chinese ambassador described the principle as a major matter that concerns China's core interests and the sentiments of the 1.4 billion Chinese people.
China is categorically against any form of official contacts between Taiwan and countries with diplomatic ties with China, said Zhang, adding that this position is consistent and clear-cut, and it does not make any sense at all for any MEP to attempt to deliver his or her political duties by interfering in other countries' internal affairs.
Zhang expressed the hope that, while the China-EU relations are in an important stage of development, MEPs could play a constructive role, follow the one-China principle in good faith, and refrain from sending any wrong signal to those seeking "Taiwan independence". ■
