By Zhong Sheng, People’s Daily

China has taken a series of countermeasures in response to the meeting between the leader of China’s Taiwan region Tsai Ing-wen and U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy during Tsai’s so-called “transit” through the U.S., which constituted a grave political provocation against China.

These countermeasures, while representing China’s resolute and forceful response to the attempt of Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities to “cling to U.S. support to seek independence” as well as the U.S.’ attempt to use Taiwan to contain China, have fully demonstrated China’s resolve to safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Tsai’s “transit” trip was in fact an attempt to seek breakthroughs and propagate “Taiwan independence;” and the so-called “diplomatic breakthrough” was nothing but another step to bring great suffering to Taiwan.

During her “transit” through the U.S., Tsai didn’t stay at the airport or a hotel. Instead, she made contact with U.S. government officials and congressional members under various pretexts, in an attempt to make official interaction between Taiwan and the U.S.

It’s obvious to see that Tsai’s “transit” trip was not a personal activity at all. It was in essence a political adventure to further collude with the U.S. and fawn on the U.S. to seek support for “Taiwan independence.” It was also an attempt to create “one China, one Taiwan” or “two Chinas,” find opportunities to peddle the “Taiwan independence” claims in the international arena, and seek support from anti-China forces in the U.S.

While the DPP authorities take every opportunity to conduct separatist activities for “Taiwan independence” out of selfish political gains, the U.S. has wantonly used Taiwan as a pawn to contain China in total disregard of the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the fundamental interests of the people in Taiwan. It is a “troublemaker” and “destroyer” of the peace and stability across the Strait.

The U.S. Congress, as part of the U.S. government, has the responsibility to fulfill the solemn commitments the U.S. government has made to China by strictly abiding by the one-China principle and refusing all forms of official interaction with Taiwan.

Under neither international law nor U.S. domestic legislation does “separation of powers” give the U.S. the excuse to defy international obligations and take actions that go against the basic norms governing international relations, provoke against China’s sovereignty, and break its own commitment on the Taiwan question.

Past mistakes can not justify today’s mistakes, and repeating the same mistakes doesn’t provide any legitimacy for erroneous behavior.

While frequently claiming that they remain committed to the one-China policy, the U.S. authorities have in fact constantly distorted, falsified, obscured, and hollowed out the one-China principle, and have been using Taiwan as a pawn to contain China’s development and progress. Such misdeeds come at the cost of the interests, well-being, and bright future of Taiwan compatriots.

China firmly opposes any “transit” trip by the Taiwan region’s leader to the U.S. in any name or for any reason, and firmly opposes the U.S. government having any form of official interaction with the Taiwan region.

China has repeatedly lodged solemn representations with the U.S. side over Tsai’s “transit” trip to the U.S. However, the U.S. side has kept indulging and supporting the “Taiwan independence” separatist forces. China has to take resolute countermeasures against such egregious actions.

China’s taking countermeasures following the provocative trip is neither “overreaction” nor “military intimidation” as claimed by the U.S.

All the countermeasures taken by the Chinese government are what China is fully entitled to do to safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity. They are necessary and timely defensive countermeasures aimed at safeguarding China’s national sovereignty and security, and stopping the anti-China forces in the U.S. and the “Taiwan independence” separatist forces from going further down the wrong and dangerous path.

The one-China principle has been recognized by the United Nations (UN) and the vast majority of countries. It has become a widely recognized basic norm governing international relations and is part and parcel of the international order established after World War II.

China’s resolute countermeasures against the escalation in the collusion between the U.S. and the Taiwan region are also a legitimate action to safeguard the basic norms in international relations and the post-war international order.

If China failed to react to the actions that interfere in China’s internal affairs and undermine its national sovereignty taken by the U.S., the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and basic norms governing international relations including respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity would be reduced to empty words.

By firmly rejecting the U.S. provocations on the Taiwan question, China is saying no to the U.S. hegemony and bullying, and upholding international fairness and justice, which is why China’s action has been supported by the overwhelming majority of countries in the world.

China will resolutely fight against every separatist activity seeking “Taiwan independence” and every grave provocation made by external forces playing the “Taiwan card” to contain China. It will never allow its national sovereignty and territorial integrity to be wantonly trampled upon and undermined.

Facts have proven that the Chinese government has strengthened its strategic initiative for China’s complete reunification and consolidated commitment to the one-China principle within the international community by resolutely fighting against separatism and countered interference.

The Chinese government has great capabilities to shape the strategic situation and environment for its national reunification, and to thwart “Taiwan independence” separatist activities in whatever form.  

The cross-Strait reunification is an overriding historical trend and the right course, while “Taiwan independence” is a retrogression leading to a dead end. The separatist forces seeking “Taiwan independence” and external interference will not stop the prevailing historical trend of China’s reunification or the course of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. 

The Chinese people have the resolve, the will, and the ability to defend their national sovereignty and territorial integrity. They must and will realize the historic goal of reuniting their motherland.

(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People’s Daily to express its views on foreign policy and international affairs.)

By Zhong Sheng, People’s Daily

Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen recently had a “transit” trip through the United States and met with U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other congressional members.

Such political provocation that engaged in official interaction and elevated the substantive relations between the U.S. and Taiwan seriously violated the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-U.S. joint communiqués. It seriously infringed upon China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, impacted the political foundation of China-U.S. relations, and undermined peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

During the so-called “transit” trip, Tsai attempted to package herself as a “peace lover” and a responsible party in cross-Strait relations, which was total self-deception.

There is but one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. The Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. These are indisputable facts grounded in history and law, and have been recognized by 182 countries around the world, including the U.S.

The special state of protracted political confrontation between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait has not imbued Taiwan with a status and rights in international law, nor can it change the legal status that Taiwan is a part of China’s territory.

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities of Taiwan refuse to acknowledge the one-China principle and claim that Taiwan is a “democratic country” free from the jurisdiction of the People’s Republic of China. On the island, they press for “de-sinicization” and promote “incremental independence,” constantly stirring up troubles on the Taiwan question.

They have forgotten their heritage, betrayed their motherland, and put aside the security and development interests of the people in Taiwan. Their practices are completely against their rhetoric about upholding “peace” and being “responsible.”

During the so-called “transit” trip, Tsai flattered the trumped-up narrative of “democracy versus authoritarianism” foisted by the U.S. side and deliberately exaggerated the differences in the social system between Taiwan and the mainland. Such dangerous practice of seeking “Taiwan independence” in the name of “democracy” further revealed the despicable intention of the DPP authorities.

The differences in the social system are neither an obstacle to reunification nor a justification for secessionism. The DPP authorities are making excuses for “Taiwan independence” by distorting the relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait as the so-called confrontation between “democracy” and “authoritarianism.” This is what really threatens the people in Taiwan.

Taiwan’s future lies in the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and China’s reunification. The Chinese on the two sides of the Strait should work together to achieve reunification.

The DPP authorities, in pursuit of private political gains, are willing to be a “servant” of hegemony, which causes tensions in the Taiwan Strait. It has made more and more Taiwan compatriots realize that the collusion between the DPP authorities and the U.S. is a scourge to Taiwan.

The one-China principle is what underpins peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. It is consistent with the basic norms of international relations.

Under the banner of the so-called “transit” trip, Tsai conducted political activities in the U.S. and had high-profile contact with the number three in the U.S. government, just to fan up the “one China, one Taiwan” or “two Chinas” in the international community, and relying on the U.S. to seek “Taiwan independence.”

In disregard of China’s serious representations and repeated warnings, the U.S. broke the political promises it has made in the Joint Communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and China, deliberately greenlighted the transit of Tsai and allowed her to have contact with the number three in the U.S. government. This was to upgrade the substantive relations between Taiwan and the U.S., hollow out the one-China principle, and send an egregiously wrong signal to the “Taiwan independence” separatist forces.

The ultimate goal of Washington is to take Taiwan as a political pawn to contain China, trying to hinder China’s complete reunification and stop the country from achieving the great revitalization of the Chinese nation. This dirty plot is no longer a secret and will never succeed.

In an attempt to mislead the public, some U.S. politicians chicaned that Tsai’s meeting with McCarthy was a compromise and that the U.S. has exercised restraint on Tsai’s “transit” trip, saying the Chinese side should not overreact. Such sheer misrepresentation of facts further revealed the hypocrisy of the U.S.

Washington explicitly recognizes that the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government of China in the Joint Communiqué. The leader of the incumbent U.S. administration has repeatedly made promises that the U.S. would not support “Taiwan independence,” “two Chinas,” or “one China, one Taiwan.”

However, the U.S. side betrayed its promises, engaged in official interaction and elevated the substantive relations between the U.S. and Taiwan, blatantly allowing Tsai to sell “Taiwan independence” claims on the U.S., and permitting high-ranking U.S. officials to support “Taiwan independence” activities launched by DPP authorities.

The U.S. is talking about “restraint” but keeping provocative actions. This fully exposes its hegemonic, domineering and bullying nature.

Tsai’s “transit” trip through the U.S. once again told the world that the tensions in the Taiwan Strait stem from the DPP authorities clinging to the U.S. to seek “independence,” and from U.S. efforts to contain China with the Taiwan question. The collusion between the U.S. and Taiwan is the real threat to the peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

The Chinese government and people will strike hard at the separatist forces seeking “Taiwan independence” and firmly oppose the collusion between the U.S. and Taiwan. It is a justifiable move to defend the national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to maintain the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait and the world at large.

(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People’s Daily to express its views on foreign policy and international affairs.)

By Lan Xing, Poeple’s Daily

Chinese President Xi Jinping attended a voluntary tree-planting activity in Beijing on April 4, a day before the Qingming Festival, also known as the Tomb-sweeping Day.

In the spring shower, Xi and other leaders, including Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, and Han Zheng, planted trees with local people at a city park in the eastern district of Chaoyang.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, plants a tree during a voluntary tree planting activity in Beijing, capital of China, April 4, 2023. Xi and other leaders, including Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, and Han Zheng, planted trees with local people at a city park in the eastern district of Chaoyang in the spring shower. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Xi has participated in theactivity in Beijing every year since he became the general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee in 2012. Xi said he also participated in tree-planting activities during his work in Fujian, Zhejiang and Shanghai.

The Chinese leadership has always placed huge importance on tree planting, as it symbolizes the revitalization of the nation, sustainable development and inheritance of the Chinese civilization.

In China, there’s a special holiday in spring – the National Tree Planting Day. Thousands of years ago, ancient Chinese people had the tradition of sticking willow branches on their homes during the Qingming Festival. Emperor Shun, a chief of a tribal alliance in the late primitive society of China and regarded as one of the ancestors of the Chinese nation, had appointed a minister in charge of forestry affairs nationwide. Almost every dynasty in Chinese history had taken measures to protect forests and award people for tree planting.

Sun Yat-sen, the late statesman who led a revolution that ended imperial rule in China, was one of the earliest advocates for tree planting in modern China. On March 12, 1925, Sun passed away.In order to memorize the renowned statesmen, the tradition of tree planting has been kept on in the country to date.

China marked its 45th National Tree Planting Day this year. China is scheduled toplant at least 100 million mu (6.67 million hectares) of forests and grasslands this year.

Between 1982 and 2021, Chinese people voluntarily planted approximately 78.1 billion trees across the country. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2012, China has planted 1.02 billion mu of trees. The country’s forest coverage now stands at 24.02 percent, up from 21.63 percent a decade ago.

Xi called nationwide tree-planting campaigns an active practice to advance afforestation and build a beautiful China.China has achieved prominent results in promoting holistic conservation and systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts and in launching its large-scale greening campaign, creating a beautiful homeland with blue skies, green lands, and clean waters.

China plays a unique role in forest conservation and the prevention of deforestation. According to statistics, China has increased more than 22 million hectares of forest area in the past 10 years, ranking first globally with a contribution of a quarter of the world’s new forest area.

Erik Solheim, former executive director of the UN Environment Programme, said in a recent article that generation after generation, strenuous, smart efforts were put into the forestation process in China in these past decades, and the Chinese people have written numerous stories that have made history.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with young students during a voluntary tree planting activity in Beijing, capital of China, April 4, 2023. Xi and other leaders, including Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, and Han Zheng, planted trees with local people at a city park in the eastern district of Chaoyang in the spring shower. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Tree planting carries the love of the Chinese people for future generations and hometowns. During the tree-planting activity on April 4, Xi told students present to encourage their future generations to plant trees when they become parents one day.

Acacia and persimmon trees, begonia, pomegranate trees and jujubes are always seen in traditional courtyard houses in the Chinese capital.Xi recollected his memories of the city when he grew up in Beijing, saying he often thinks about trees when it comes to nostalgia.

Afforestation has become a spiritual connotation of China that has been passed on from generation to generation, arousing people’s awareness for environmental protection and nurturing the country’s green development philosophy. Through tree planting, China has optimized its environment, greened its mountains and kept people’s nostalgia, laying a solid foundation for achieving sustainable development and inheriting the Chinese civilization.

Tree planting is a tradition, an obligation and a lifestyle of the Chinese people. Let’s take proactive steps—from planting trees to ensuring our homeland has lucid waters and lush mountains, which are our invaluable assets—and draw a new picture of our beautiful China.