China lodges protest to Japan over Taiwan issue

BEIJING - China on Friday accused Japan of violating the one-China principle under the pretext of disaster relief efforts after a powerful earthquake struck Taiwan's Hualien county.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang made the remarks in response to a question saying that some senior Japanese official sent condolences to Taiwan politicians addressing them by the so-called official titles.

"The Japanese side openly attempted to create 'one China, one Taiwan' under the pretext of disaster relief and condolences," Geng said, adding such move went against the one-China principle as well as Japan's commitment on the Taiwan issue.

He said China was strongly dissatisfied and had lodged representations to Japan.

"We urge the Japanese side to abide by the principles set in the four China-Japan political documents, immediately correct its wrong practice, and not make new obstacles for bilateral ties," the spokesperson said.

Geng said the Chinese mainland was concerned after the magnitude 6.5 earthquake that hit Taiwan late Tuesday. Zhang Zhijun, head of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, expressed sincere regards to Taiwan compatriots, and pledged to send rescue teams and offer aid.

As of Friday morning, 10 people were confirmed dead in the earthquake, four from Chinese mainland, five from Taiwan and one from the Philippines. A total of 276 people were injured.