China warns against 'Panama-Taiwan legislative exchange group'

China firmly opposes official contact between countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations and the Taiwan authorities, warning that a handful of politicians "crossing the line" on the Taiwan question would face serious consequences.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks at a regular news briefing, responding to a question about reports that some Panamanian lawmakers had recently formed a so-called "Panama-Taiwan legislative exchange group", with members of the US Congress joining an online session. Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino has publicly stated that his government reaffirms foreign policy is made by the executive branch and does not support such contact by lawmakers with Taiwan.

Guo reiterated that there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory. He said China firmly opposes any form of official exchange or contact between countries that have diplomatic ties with China and the Taiwan authorities, and will not tolerate external forces interfering in China's internal affairs.

He urged the small number of politicians involved to see the situation clearly, warning that crossing the line on the Taiwan question would bring serious consequences.

The formation of the so-called "group", Guo said, seriously violates the one-China principle that Panama has consistently upheld. Noting Panama's official statement on the matter, he said China hopes Panama will put the one-China principle into practice and safeguard the political foundation of China-Panama relations.

Guo also urged the US to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, stop sending wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, and cease disrupting and undermining China-Panama relations.