China Accuses Taiwan Of Using Trade Issues To Seek Independence

The Chinese government on Wednesday accused Taiwan바카라�s ruling party of seeking independence, a day after the self-governing island바카라�s president lobbied for Australia바카라�s support in joining a regional trade pact.

Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for China바카라�s Taiwan Affairs Office, also said the recent Chinese military drills around Taiwan were held to combat 바카라�the arrogance of Taiwan independence separatist forces.바카라�

China claims Taiwan, an island about 160 kilometres (100 miles) off its east coast, as its territory. The two split during the civil war that brought the Communists to power in China in 1949, with the losing Nationalists setting up their own government in Taiwan.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, meeting with six visiting Australian lawmakers on Tuesday, sought their country바카라�s support for Taiwan바카라�s bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, an 11-nation free trade agreement.

The Australian parliamentary delegation discussed strengthening economic cooperation with Taiwan, particularly in clean energy, and expressed an interest in Taiwan바카라�s semiconductor industry.

Zhu said that any participation by Taiwan in a regional economic grouping should be handled in accordance with the 바카라�one-China principle,바카라� which holds that the Communist Party is the government of China and Taiwan is a part of the country.

바카라�The Democratic Progressive Party바카라�s attempt to seek independence in the name of economy and trade will not succeed,바카라� she said, referring to Tsai바카라�s political party.

Zhu signalled that China would not ease up on its military activity around Taiwan.

바카라�As long as Taiwan independence바카라�s provocations continue, the People바카라�s Liberation Army바카라�s actions to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity will not stop,바카라� she said.