Chinese official asks Taiwanese to oppose independence

A Chinese official today called on Taiwanese people to fight against "Taiwan independence", calling it as the greatest threat to cross-Strait peace and stability.
"Any cultural de-sinicisation by separatist forces in an attempt to sever the island's links with Chinese culture is doomed to fail and will be opposed by people on both sides," An Fengshan, spokesperson for China's Taiwan Affairs Office of the central government here said at a press conference.
"The mainland and Taiwan belong to one China and Chinese culture is the common spiritual home shared by people across the Strait," sate-run Xinhua news agency quoted him as saying.

China, which claims Taiwan as part of the mainland, is wary of present Taiwanese PresidentTsaiIng-wen who had scaled down ties with Beijing to maintain Taiwanese independent identity.
China still sees Taiwan as part of its territory to be brought back into its fold, by force if necessary, even though the island has been self-governing since the two sides split after a civil war in 1949.
Ties have worsened since President Tsai Ing-wen took power last year, ending an eight-year rapprochement.