"Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian reaffirmed on Friday Beijing’s opposition to Taiwan independence and separatism, calling the Taiwan issue ‘purely an internal affair’ and warning that Beijing’s resolve to defend national sovereignty is unwavering. “To maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, one must take a clear and firm stance against ‘Taiwan independence’ and separatism. China’s resolve to defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity is unwavering,’ Lin said during a press briefing in Beijing. His remark follows US President Donald Trump’s meeting with Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the White House in Washington, DC, on Thursday, during which they committed to 'peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of regional security and global prosperity.' Takaichi sparked a furious response from Beijing last November after telling parliament that a Chinese attempt to seize Taiwan by force could trigger a response from Japan’s Self-Defence Forces. In retaliation, China suspended seafood imports and issued travel warnings for its citizens, leading to a steep drop in Chinese tourism to Japan. Lin again urged Japan to “withdraw its erroneous remarks on Taiwan at the earliest opportunity” and warned that dialogue must be based on “mutual respect and adherence to shared consensus.” He emphasised that any claims of dialogue while engaging in confrontation would be rejected. The spokesperson also commented on US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s statement that sanctions on Iranian oil stranded at sea may soon be lifted, citing China’s opposition to ‘illegal unilateral sanctions’ and expressing concern over escalating tensions in the Middle East. “Energy security is crucial to the world economy, and all parties have a responsibility to ensure a stable and uninterrupted energy supply,” Lin said, adding, “The parties involved should press the pause button on military operations as soon as possible to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.” Lin additionally welcomed India’s new ambassador to China, Vikram K Doraiswami, known in China as Wei Jiameng, and congratulated Nepal on the successful conclusion of its federal parliamentary elections, praising the smooth advancement of the country’s political process."