China strongly condemns US decision to arrange so-called 'stopover' for Lai Ching-te

China on Sunday deplored and strongly condemned the U.S. decision to arrange the so-called "stopover" for Lai Ching-te, saying that China firmly opposes any visit by "Taiwan independence" separatists to the United States in any name or under whatever pretext.
It was reported that deputy leader of China's Taiwan region Lai Ching-te set off for Paraguay on Aug. 12 to attend the inauguration of Paraguay's new president, and has arrived in New York for a "stopover".

When asked to comment on relevant reports, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that China firmly opposes any form of official interaction between the United States and the Taiwan region.

"We firmly oppose the U.S. government having any form of official contact with the Taiwan region," said the spokesperson.