A Chinese mainland spokeswoman on Wednesday denounced Lai Ching-te, leader of the Taiwan region, as a "destroyer of peace" in the Taiwan Strait, while condemning his recent remarks as an attempt to escalate tensions between the two sides.

During a Chinese New Year event in Taipei held for Taiwan businesses operating on the Chinese mainland on Monday, Lai commented that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait do not belong to each other.

Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said Lai — while claiming to seek peace and stability in the Strait — has maintained a separatist stance of "Taiwan independence", fueled separatism, sabotaged peace and hindered cross-Strait exchange.

Zhu reiterated that although the two sides of the Strait are not yet fully reunified, the fact that both belong to one China has never changed.

It is only by adhering to the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus that cross-Strait relations can be improved, peace can be maintained, and exchange and dialogue can be facilitated, she said.

She further criticized Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authorities for prioritizing their own political gains over the welfare of people in Taiwan.

Zhu called on the people of Taiwan to work with their mainland peers to oppose "Taiwan independence", safeguard peace and stability in the region, and promote cross-Strait exchange and cooperation.

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