(8 Sep 2022) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS Beijing - 8 September 2022 1. Wide of news conference 2. Wide of journalists 3. SOUNDBITE(Mandarin) Mao Ning, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson: "China's opposition to Taiwan independence and external interference is unwavering. We urge the relevant U.S. politicians to abide by the one-China principle and the three joint communiqués, and immediately stop any forms of official contacts with Taiwan or sending wrong signals to the separatist forces of Taiwan independence. We will continue to take strong measures to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity." 4. Journalists 5. SOUNDBITE(Mandarin) Mao Ning, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson: "The Taiwan issue concerns the political foundation and basic trust between China and Japan. Japan has made serious political commitments repeatedly to China in this regard. Japan should abide by the principle of four political documents between the two sides, handle the matter in strict accordance with the one-China principle and not provide the Taiwan independence force any platforms for political manipulation. Also, the Taiwan authority's attempt at political manipulation with the matter will not succeed." 6. Wide of news conference STORYLINE: China on Thursday reiterated its opposition to what it deemed "official contacts" between the US and Taiwan as a bipartisan group of US lawmakers arrived in the island democracy. Led by Florida Democrat Stephanie Murphy, the delegation met Thursday morning with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, whose administration China has relentlessly sought to deprive of diplomatic recognition and participation in international organizations. At a daily news briefing in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning called on US politicians to "immediately stop any forms of official contacts with Taiwan or sending wrong signals to the separatist forces of Taiwan independence." "We will continue to take strong measures to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity," she added, without giving details. A steady stream of U.S. visitors has come to meet with Taiwanese officials since U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited in early August. China in response has stepped up its military harassment, sending warships, warplanes and even drones toward the island daily. Mao also warned Japan not to provide Taiwan "platforms for political manipulation" after the Taiwanese Foreign Ministry announced that they are sending a representative to the state funeral of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe later this month. "The Taiwan issue concerns the political foundation and basic trust between China and Japan," Mao said, urging the Japanese government to handle the issue "in strict accordance with the one-China principle." Beijing has not announced whether any Chinese representative will attend the funeral. =========================================================== Clients are reminded: (i) to check the terms of their licence agreements for use of content outside news programming and that further advice and assistance can be obtained from the AP Archive on: Tel +44 (0) 20 7482 7482 Email: [email protected] (ii) they should check with the applicable collecting society in their Territory regarding the clearance of any sound recording or performance included within the AP Television News service (iii) they have editorial responsibility for the use of all and any content included within the AP Television News service and for libel, privacy, compliance and third party rights applicable to their Territory. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives ​​ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/ace88af5b3634f028cabbc3fcb4ee265