▲ Chiou Gow-wei (3rd from L), the head of the Taiwanese mission to South Korea, speaks during a seminar hosted by Rep. Park Soo-young of the main opposition People Power Party at the National Assembly in Seoul on Jan. 12, 2026. (Yonhap)

Chinese Embassy-Taiwan

Chinese Embassy blasts Taiwan envoy's interpretation of Lee's 'One China' remarks

By Kim Seung-yeon

SEOUL, Jan. 13 (Yonhap) -- The Chinese Embassy in Seoul on Tuesday took a swipe at Taiwan's top envoy after he suggested that the "One China" principle South Korea has committed to respect could refer to Taiwan rather than Beijing.

The embassy issued the statement a day after Chiou Gow-wei, the head of the Taiwanese mission to South Korea, made such remarks at a forum hosted by a lawmaker of the main opposition People Power Party.

When asked by Yonhap News Agency about President Lee Jae Myung having reaffirmed his country's respect for China's One China policy in an interview with Chinese media, Chiou said it "may not necessarily mean the People's Republic of China," calling Beijing by its official name.

Chiou said it could refer to the Republic of China, Taiwan's official name.

"The remarks were sheer nonsense and not only violated recognized norms governing international relations, but also challenged South Korea's commitment to the One China principle pledged in the China-South Korea joint communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations," an embassy spokesperson said in the statement.

"Both China and South Korea find such grave erroneous remarks intolerable and firmly oppose them," the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson also voiced opposition to South Korean lawmakers engaging with Taiwanese officials, including inviting them to participate in any events.

"Any political forces seeking to pursue political gain by playing the 'China card' will not succeed. Any attempt to disrupt or undermine China-South Korea relations by exploiting the Taiwan issue will not be accepted by the people of either country," the spokesperson said.

China considers Taiwan, self-governed since it broke away from the mainland in 1949, as part of its territory that must be reunified by force if necessary, and it has strongly objected to any country that challenges this stance.

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