China to resolutely punish "Taiwan independence" separatist forces: spokesperson

BEIJING, July 8 (Xinhua) -- China will resolutely punish "Taiwan independence" separatist forces in accordance with the law if they dare to engage in acts that split the nation or undermine national unity, a mainland spokesperson said on Wednesday. Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks at a press conference in response to a media query about Taiwan authorities' baseless attacks against the newly enacted Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law. The law explicitly stipulates the use of law-based measures to combat illegal acts in the field of ethnic affairs, Chen said, adding that it is based on China's national conditions, consistent with legal principles, and in line with international practices. The law represents a just and necessary step to safeguard national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, he said. Noting that Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities have repeatedly launched unwarranted attacks and smears against the law, Chen said their aim is to fabricate excuses for their betrayal of the nation and for their attempts to split the country, undermine cross-Strait relations and restrict cross-Strait exchanges. Chen said that no matter what tricks the DPP authorities may resort to, they cannot change the fact that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China, nor can they stop the historical trend that the motherland will achieve reunification ultimately.