BEIJING - A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday denounced remarks by Taiwan's new leader Lai Ching-te that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait "are not subordinate to each other," noting that his comments are a typical "Taiwan independence" fallacy.

Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the statement in response to a question about Lai's recent interview with TIME magazine, during which he sells the "not subordinate" claim.

The mainland and Taiwan both belong to one and the same China, and Taiwan is a part of China. This fact cannot and will never be changed, Zhu said

The mainland and Taiwan both belong to one and the same China, and Taiwan is a part of China. This fact cannot and will never be changed, Zhu said. She also criticized Lai's remarks as being false and lacking both historical and legal basis, while only serving to expose his separatist intentions.

Concerning cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, Zhu said the mainland always supports and promotes dialogue and consultation between the two sides of the Strait based on the "1992 Consensus," thereby actively enhancing cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation.

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"The root cause hindering cross-Strait communication lies in the Democratic Progressive Party authorities' stubborn adherence to the 'Taiwan independence' separatist stance and their refusal to acknowledge the '1992 Consensus,'" Zhu said.

The spokesperson added that Lai, while claiming to promote the people's well-being and a future of peace and common prosperity on both sides of the Strait, is instead repeatedly advocating the "two states" theory, inciting cross-Strait confrontation and seeking separatist schemes.

"Condoning such moves will undoubtedly bring huge disasters to Taiwan compatriots," she said.

Criminal punishments

Zhu also said that that criminal punishments imposed on diehard "Taiwan independence" separatists for conducting or inciting secession was a legitimate and reasonable action.

Only by severely punishing the crimes committed by "Taiwan independence" separatists in accordance with the law can peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait be maintained and the interests and well-being of people in Taiwan be safeguarded, she said

Only by severely punishing the crimes committed by "Taiwan independence" separatists in accordance with the law can peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait be maintained and the interests and well-being of people in Taiwan be safeguarded, she said.

When commenting on criticism from the US Department of State spokesperson on this matter, Zhu said that the United States had no right to meddle in China's internal affairs and make unfounded remarks.

She urged the US to take concrete actions to abide by the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-US joint communiques and honor its commitment not to support "Taiwan independence."

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Zhu also expressed strong opposition against a recent decision by the US government to sell arms worth around $360 million to Taiwan.

Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authorities, driven by their own political interests, are using the hard-earned money of people in Taiwan to buy weapons, attempting to seek independence by US support and by force, which will only bring disasters to the region and its people, she said.

Repeated US arms sales to Taiwan will ignite conflict and push the island to the brink of war, she added.