China opposes US-Taiwan official contacts

China opposes official contacts and development of substantial relations between the United States and Taiwan, said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei on Thursday. He added that China's position on this issue has been consistent and unequivocal. "China urges the US to abide by the One-China policy and the spirit of the three China-US joint communiques, prudently and properly handle Taiwan-related issues and stop all forms of official exchanges with Taiwan so as not to impair cross-Strait relations and China-US relations," Hong said. The Chinese official made the remarks in response to a report that Dawn L McCall, Coordinator for the U.S. State Department's Bureau of International Information Programs (IIP), recently visited Taiwan and met with Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou and other political leaders in Taiwan.