When asked to comment on the recent claims by an official with Taiwan's so-called foreign affairs department that after World War II, the " Treaty of San Francisco " superseded political declarations such as the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, stating that the treaty did not hand the island of Taiwan over to the People's Republic of China (PRC) and that the PRC has never governed Taiwan, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday that such fallacious claims distort the truth and confuse the public, further exposing the Lai Ching-te authorities' thoroughly separatist "Taiwan independence" nature. 

Mao emphasized that Taiwan's restoration to China is a victorious outcome of WWII and an integral part of the postwar international order. A series of legally binding international documents, including the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, and Japan's terms of surrender, affirm China's sovereignty over Taiwan. The historical and legal fact that Taiwan belongs to China is indisputable. 

The so-called " Treaty of San Francisco" was an illegal and invalid document produced after World War II by the US and a few other countries, excluding the People's Republic of China and the Soviet Union, to make a separate peace with Japan. This document violated the 1942 United Nations Declaration signed by 26 countries, including China, the US, the UK, and the Soviet Union, as well as the UN Charter and international law. Any decisions regarding the sovereignty and territorial rights of China, which excluded the PRC from signing, including the sovereignty over Taiwan, are illegal and invalid, Mao said.

Mao stressed that the Lai Ching-te authorities have completely abandoned their national stance, disregarded the Chinese people's victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, and recklessly distorted World War II history, which is disgraceful.   

Mao noted that no matter what the Lai Ching-te authorities say or do, they cannot change the historical and legal fact that Taiwan is part of China's territory, nor can they alter the international community's broad consensus on upholding the one-China principle or stop the inevitable historical trend of China's reunification, which will surely be realized.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang, President of the European Council Antonio Costa, and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen jointly chaired the 25th China-EU Summit in Beijing on Thursday.

The recent outbreak of conflict along the Cambodia-Thailand border, resulting in casualties, is deeply distressing and concerning. The root of this issue lies in the legacy left by Western colonial powers, and it now requires calm and careful handling. China appreciates and supports the active mediation efforts by the ASEAN chair, and encourages dialogue and political resolution through the ASEAN way, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi while meeting with Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn in Beijing on Friday.

Wang said as a mutual neighbor and friend to both Cambodia and Thailand, China is committed to maintaining an objective and impartial stance, and stands ready to play a constructive role in helping de-escalate tensions and restore stability, according to a release from China's Foreign Ministry. 

Dr. Kao Kim Hourn said that on the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict, we believe the leaders of the countries involved have the political wisdom to resolve the issue. The ASEAN way remains a viable approach, and the ASEAN chair is actively mediating in the spirit of the ASEAN Charter, according to the release. 

We also appreciate China's constructive efforts in promoting dialogue and de-escalation, said Kao.