Q: Recently, former leader of the Taiwan region Tsai Ing-wen came to Canada to participate in the Halifax International Security Forum annual conference and accepted the so-called “John McCain Prize for Leadership in Public Service” conferred by the Forum. What are China’s comments on this?

A: China’s position on the Taiwan question is consistent and clear. We firmly oppose any “Taiwan independence” elements visiting any country that has diplomatic ties with China under any name. We urge the countries concerned to earnestly abide by the one-China principle and respect China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

By inviting and presenting award to the “Taiwan independence” element, the Halifax International Security Forum seriously violates the one-China principle. China is strongly deplores and firmly opposes this. We urge the Halifax International Security Forum to fully recognize the extreme importance and high sensitivity of the Taiwan question and stop sending wrong signals to the “Taiwan independence” separatist forces.