ISTANBUL

China on Monday urged 12 diplomatic allies of Taiwan to “make the right political decision at an early date” to uphold the one-China principle.

“Maintaining so-called ‘diplomatic ties’ with Taiwan authorities will lead nowhere. It will not shake the solid and strong international commitment to the one-China principle,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told reporters in Beijing.

He was responding to questions after Paraguayan First Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies Hugo Meza had again called for “a serious and broad debate” to explore possible diplomatic and trade ties between Paraguay and China, according to a transcript of Guo’s news conference.

“We urge the governments of the very few individual countries, including Paraguay, … make the right political decision at an early date,” said Guo.

Paraguay is one of 12 diplomatic allies of Taiwan, which China considers as its “breakaway province.”

Beijing’s call to Taipei’s allies comes a day after Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated Cheng Li-wun, the newly elected chairperson of the Kuomintang, main opposition party in Taiwan.

Cheng was elected president of the 113-year-old party on Saturday.

In his letter to Cheng, Xi “expressed his expectations for the two political parties to strengthen their common political foundation and unite the vast majority of people in Taiwan to deepen exchanges and cooperation, boost common development, and advance national reunification.”