Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has denounced Taiwan's new President Lai Ching-te by name a day after his inauguration.
China's foreign ministry says Wang announced China's stance on the Taiwan issue at a foreign ministers meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Kazakhstan on Tuesday.
Wang is cited as saying that Taiwan is the core of core issues for China, and that independence activities are the most destructive factor for peace in the Taiwan Strait.
He condemned Lai for betraying the nation and their ancestors and called his acts disgraceful.
China labels Lai a separatist, and has rejected talks with him so far as he refuses to accept Beijing's "one-China Principle."
On Tuesday, the Chinese foreign ministry announced sanctions on former US lawmaker Mike Gallagher, who chaired the House of Representatives select committee on China. Gallagher is known for his hardline stance against China. He visited Taiwan in February and met with Lai. Beijing said he interfered in China's internal affairs. The sanctions include freezing his assets in the country.
China also reacted sharply against US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's statement congratulating Lai's inauguration.