Mainland spokesman criticizes 'US-Taiwan' coast guard meeting

A Taiwan affairs spokesman on Friday urged the United States to stop sending wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatists, after a so-called US-Taiwan coast guard cooperation mechanism held its first meeting.

A so-called memorandum between the US and Taiwan regarding maritime patrols was signed in March, and they held their first meeting recently via video conference to discuss maritime-related topics, Taiwan media reported.

Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said: "We are firmly opposed to the US signing any agreement or carrying out any relevant activities with the Taiwan region that have sovereignty implications."

Ma urged the US to abide by the one-China policy and relevant provisions of the three China-US joint communiqués on the Taiwan question, and insisted the US stop sending wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" forces.

He condemned the Democratic Progressive Party for colluding with foreign forces to seek independence and reject reunification with the mainland.

The DPP authorities will only "push Taiwan toward a disaster", he added.