Beijing rebukes Taipei over ‘irresponsible' comments on Hong Kong protests
Beijing rebuked Taipei yesterday for its "irresponsible" comments on the pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong, and took a swipe at the frequent protests in democratic Taiwan.
Beijing rebuked Taipei yesterday for its "irresponsible" comments on the pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong, and took a swipe at the frequent protests in democratic Taiwan.
Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou has expressed his support for demonstrators in the city, and last week he urged Beijing to move towards democracy.
Fan Liqing , spokeswoman for the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, said the mainland was "resolutely opposed" to comments from Taiwan about Hong Kong or the mainland's political system.
"The Taiwan side should not make irresponsible remarks about this," Fan told a news briefing. "The fruits of the peaceful development of cross-strait ties have not come easily, and need exceptional cherishing."
Taiwan and the mainland had chosen different political paths, she said. Beijing respected the island's choices and would avoid commenting on their "effect on stability in society and politics and economic development" - an apparent reference to the frequency of protests in Taiwan.
READ MORE: Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou calls on Beijing to move towards democracy
"But we hope that Taiwan respects the choices and aspirations of the 1.3 billion people on the mainland," she added.