Separatists will leave a stink for 10,000 years, China says after Taiwan vote

BEIJING • Separatists will "leave a stink for 10,000 years", the Chinese government's top diplomat said yesterday, in Beijing's most strongly worded reaction yet to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen's re-election on the back of a message of standing up to Beijing.

Speaking in Africa, Chinese State Councillor Wang Yi said the "one China" principle that recognises Taiwan as being part of China has long since become the common consensus of the international community.

"This consensus won't alter a bit because of a local election in Taiwan, and will not be shaken because of the wrong words and actions of certain Western politicians," Mr Wang added, in an apparent reference to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

In congratulating Ms Tsai, Mr Pompeo had praised her for seeking stability with China "in the face of unrelenting pressure".

Ms Tsai was returned to office last Saturday in a landslide win, in an election dominated by China's growing efforts to get the island it claims as its own to accept Beijing's rule.

Ms Tsai said upon claiming victory that Taiwan would not give in to threats and intimidation from China and that only Taiwan's people had the right to decide their own future.