The United States has reportedly approved some defense contracts to transfer technologies to Taiwan which will help the island to build its own submarines. Some companies from Europe, Japan and India, too, are reportedly interested in participating in the submarine-building program.

At a recent regular news conference, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying made it clear that the Chinese mainland firmly opposes arms sales by any country to Taiwan. She urged the relevant countries to fully understand the sensitivity of the issue, and properly deal with Taiwan-related matters in order to avoid jeopardizing bilateral ties.

On cross-Straits issues, the mainland has made it crystal clear its stance that it will strive to realize peaceful reunification because it is in the best interests of the compatriots on both sides of the Straits. But it reserves the right to use force to achieve the national goal if peaceful reunification becomes impossible. The mainland's policy is not aimed at Taiwan compatriots but at the external forces trying to interfere in cross-Straits affairs and the "pro-independence" forces and separatists on the island.

China has never made and will never make any compromise on the matter of principles, and no person or country should underestimate its resolve and ability to safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Submarines are widely recognized as a strategic weapon. To export submarine manufacturing technologies to Taiwan and assist it in making submarines is to send the wrong signal to "pro-independence" forces on the island and embolden them to make more separatist moves. In any way we look at it, the sale of weapons and weapon-making technologies to Taiwan constitutes a serious violation of national sovereignty, which should be resolutely opposed.

Some US politicians' Cold War mentality is prompting them to sell arms to Taiwan. By repeatedly violating the spirit of the three Sino-US Joint Communiqués, Washington is trying to continue using the island to push forward its "China containment" strategy.

That Taiwan is part of China is a historical fact that cannot be changed by anyone or any force. And realizing national rejuvenation is a historical aspiration of the Chinese people which cannot be stopped by anyone or any force. The Taiwan question is related to national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the wishes of 1.4 billion Chinese people, including Taiwan compatriots.

China advises the US and other countries to fully recognize the sensitivity of cross-Straits issues, respect China's core interests and major concerns, honor the commitments they have made to the Chinese side on cross-Straits matters, and adhere to the one-China principle. The relevant countries should not allow their enterprises to participate in any submarine-manufacturing program and cease any form of military ties with the island, so as to avoid damaging bilateral relations and endangering cross-Straits peace and stability.

The one-China principle is the political foundation of cross-Straits relations. There is only one China, and adherence to the one-China principle is a recognized norm of international relations. National reunification is an irreversible historical trend and any "pro-independence" move on the island is doomed to failure. Reunification is also in the fundamental interest of the Chinese nation.

The Taiwan question arose from the weakness of and disorder in the Chinese nation in the past and will end with the realization of the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. The nation's buildup and rejuvenation will fundamentally determine the direction of cross-Straits relations and the ultimate realization of reunification. And with socialism with Chinese characteristics entering a new era, national rejuvenation is inevitable.

China has the will, confidence and capability to thwart any secessionist plot aimed at splitting the nation, and its armed forces are determined to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as to maintain peace and stability across the Straits and make invaluable contributions to the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.

The author is a researcher at the PLA Naval Research Academy.