China urges US to handle Taiwan-related issues prudently

BEIJING, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese foreign ministry on Friday urged relevant U.S. parties to abide by the one-China principle, the provisions of the three China-U.S. joint communiques, and handle Taiwan-related issues prudently and properly.

The 2020 Democratic Party's platform for the upcoming election, adopted at its National Convention on Thursday, no longer includes an endorsement for the one-China principle, a change compared with 2016. The Republican administration has also taken a hard line on China-related issues, including those on Taiwan.

Responding to a query about whether China is concerned that the above-mentioned developments may signal a tougher stance on China from both U.S. political parties, spokesperson Zhao Lijian told a daily press briefing that China's position on Taiwan is "consistent and clear."

"The Taiwan question is the most important and sensitive issue in China-U.S. relations. The one-China principle represents the political foundation underlying our bilateral ties, and also the common consensus of the international community," Zhao said.

"We urge the relevant parties to earnestly abide by the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-U.S. joint communiques, and handle Taiwan-related issues prudently and properly," said the spokesperson.

"China hopes both political parties in the U.S. can objectively view China and China-U.S. relations, take into account the common interests of people in both countries and the world, and work with China in jointly advancing a China-U.S. relationship featuring coordination, cooperation, and stability," Zhao added.