BEIJING, December 5. /TASS/. Taiwanese independence would be akin to a declaration of war as it is not conducive to peace in the Taiwan Strait, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said.

"I would like to stress that a so-called independent Taiwan is incompatible with peace in the Taiwan Strait. 'Taiwanese independence' means war and a standoff," he said, commenting on Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s statement that Taiwan doesn’t "want Hong Kong-style peace."

Taiwan has been governed by its local administration since 1949 when the Kuomintang’s remaining forces headed by Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975) were defeated in the Chinese Civil War and took refuge on the island. Taiwan has preserved the flag and several other symbols of the Republic of China that had existed before the Communists took over the mainland. According to China’s official position, which is supported by most countries, including Russia, the Island of Taiwan is one of China’s provinces.