NEW YORK -- China firmly opposes any form of official interaction between the United States and the Taiwan region, firmly opposes any visit by "Taiwan independence" separatists to the United States in any name or under whatever pretext, and firmly opposes any form of US connivance and support for "Taiwan independence" separatists and their separatist activities, said a spokesperson of the Chinese Consulate General in New York on Saturday.

The spokesperson made the remarks responding to the so-called "stopover" in New York of Lai Ching-te, deputy leader of China's Taiwan region.

Lai has openly described himself as a "pragmatic worker for Taiwan independence," attacking the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, the spokesperson said, adding that Lai is an out-and-out "Taiwan independence" separatist.

The purpose of his "transit" in America is to build momentum for the election and seek support for "Taiwan independence" from the United States, the spokesperson said, noting that being fully aware of his real intentions, the United States deliberately greenlighted the "transit," conniving at "Taiwan independence" separatists.

The Taiwan question is at the core of China's core interests and the first red line that must not be crossed in China-US relations, the spokesperson underscored.

US President Joe Biden has reiterated his commitment that Washington does not support "Taiwan independence," "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan," nor does it seek to use Taiwan as a tool to contain China, but the United States has taken tricks to obscure and hollow out the one-China principle, constantly using tactics to challenge the red line, said the spokesperson.

Driven by selfish gains, "Taiwan independence" separatists have no scruples to betray the interests of the nation and people, and it will only bring disastrous consequences for the Taiwan people as well as tension and instability in the Taiwan Strait, said the spokesperson.

The vast number of Chinese in America firmly oppose Lai's "transit" by publishing open letters and holding protests, proving once again that "Taiwan independence" is unpopular, the spokesperson said, adding that the outrageous acts of flattering the United States and betraying Taiwan and the Taiwan people will never succeed.