In an op-ed article recently published in the Los Angeles Times, former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe mentioned Taiwan and Ukraine in the same breath and said the time had come for the U.S. to make clear that it would defend Taiwan. 

In response to such claims, Consul General Zhang Ping sent a letter to the Times, which was published on April 23, to state China's solemn position. The full text of the letter is as follows:

The author of the op-ed article made irresponsible remarks calling for the U.S. to make clear it would defend Taiwan. This serves only to instigate confrontation between major countries. China firmly rejects this.

The situations in Taiwan and Ukraine cannot be compared. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, where the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government. This One-China Principle is explicitly stated in both joint communiqués for establishing China-U.S. and China-Japan diplomatic ties.

The root cause of the tension in the Taiwan Strait is that the Taiwan authorities refuse to recognize the One-China Principle. Some external forces have condoned and abetted the growth of separatist forces for "Taiwanese independence." This gravely violates the basic norms of international relations and puts the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait in serious jeopardy.

The Taiwan question concerns China's core interests of sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is entirely China's internal affair, allowing no foreign interference. The Chinese people's resolve to defend our sovereignty and territorial integrity remains firm. We will strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification with utmost sincerity and every effort.

That said, we reserve the option of taking all necessary measures in response to the interference of foreign forces and the secessionist activities of a handful of "Taiwanese independence" separatists.