国内英语新闻:U.S. urged to carefully handle Taiwan issue

BEIJING, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- China has urged the United States to uphold the one China policy and carefully handle the Taiwan issue, a mainland spokesman said on Wednesday.

During a press conference, Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office (SCTAO), reiterated the points made by SCTAO head Zhang Zhijun during a meeting with visiting U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Jan. 21.

Zhang told Blinken that cross-Strait peace and stability is facing challenges and uncertainties due to the current changes on the island, according to Ma.

The U.S. should stick to the one China policy and the principles laid out in the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques, respect the major concerns of China and properly handle issues relating to Taiwan, Ma quoted Zhang as saying.

Zhang also told Blinken that the mainland's Taiwan policy has been consistent and clear and will not be changed by the result of the election on the island.

Tsai Ing-wen, chair of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), was elected the island's leader on Jan. 16.

Zhang said peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, that the two sides have achieved by adhering to the 1992 Consensus and opposition to Taiwan independence over the years, should be cherished.

"We will continue to stick to 1992 Consensus, oppose Taiwan independence activities in any form and firmly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Ma also stressed that supporters of Taiwan independence will find no room across the world.

It is not realistic for Taiwan to sever economic cooperation with the mainland to expand its so-called "international cooperation space" and "such a thinking goes against the international community observing one China policy," said Ma.