Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (second left) attends a press conference on China's foreign policy and foreign relations via video link on the sidelines of the third session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, on May 24 (XINHUA)

China urges the United States to ditch its illusions and political calculations, and not to make any attempt to challenge China's red line on the Taiwan question, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on May 24.

The Taiwan question is China's internal affair, and the one-China principle is the international consensus and the political foundation of China's diplomatic relations with other countries, Wang said.

"We firmly oppose official interactions with Taiwan authorities, disguised as health cooperation. We firmly oppose the pursuit of so-called international space for Taiwan in violation of the one-China principle. We firmly oppose any external support and encouragement for those elements who take advantage of COVID-19 to seek 'Taiwan independence,'" Wang said.

"The reunification of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait is a trend of history. No individual or force can stop it from happening," he said. "We urge the U.S. side to fully appreciate the great sensitivity of the Taiwan question and abide by the one-China principle and the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques."

"We advise the U.S. side to ditch its illusions and political calculations. We remind the U.S. not to make any attempt to challenge China's red line or misjudge 1.4 billion people's strong resolve to defend national unification," Wang said.

"Since the beginning of the COVID-19 situation, we have taken great care of our Taiwan compatriots on the Chinese mainland and given whatever help we can to those staying abroad," Wang said. "We will continue to do our uttermost to meet Taiwan compatriots' needs in fighting COVID-19."

The Chinese Government and the World Health Organization (WHO), keeping with the one-China principle, have made proper arrangements for Taiwan to participate in global health affairs as a region of China, he said.

The Taiwan region has unimpeded access to information and expert-level exchange and cooperation with WHO and its member states, Wang said. It is the Taiwan authorities who have turned a blind eye to people's wellbeing, and by turning its back on the 1992 Consensus that embodies the one-China principle, the Taiwan authorities have shut the door to cross-Strait consultation on Taiwan's external activities, he said.