China slams Taiwan for 'undermining' economic cooperation across Taiwan Strait

By Aamir Latif

ANKARA/KARACHI (AA) - China Wednesday slammed Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for "undermining" economic cooperation across the Taiwan Strait, Chinese state media reported.

Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for China's State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, issued criticism in response to Taiwan's recent addition of several Chinese chip research and development companies, including Huawei and SMIC, to its "export control list," Beijing-based Xinhua News reported.

Taipei, last week, placed restrictions on Huawei and SMIC, limiting their ability to develop cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) chip technologies.

Such technological blockades, Zhu said, cannot halt the progress of technological innovation in China.

Attempts to "decouple and sever supply chains" will not hold back industrial upgrading in China, she added.

"Any actions by the DPP authorities that undermine cross-Strait economic cooperation will only damage the competitiveness of Taiwan enterprises and limit Taiwan's own economic development space," she said.

Beijing said it will take "effective" measures to "resolutely" safeguard the normal order of cross-Strait economic and trade exchanges and cooperation, and protect the interests and well-being of compatriots on both sides of the Strait.

Her remarks came a day after Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te called on his people to demonstrate "unity by opposing the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)" and "safeguarding Taiwan."

In a related development, China Wednesday said it will make every effort to help evacuate Chinese nationals, including "those from Taiwan," affected by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.

According to Zhu, "some Taiwan compatriots" have already been safely relocated to neighboring countries during clashes between Israel and Iran.

China considers Taiwan its breakaway province, whereas the latter insists on independence.​​​​​​​