A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday criticized Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party for "never abandoning its separatist agenda"， urging it to recognize that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China.

Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks at a news conference in Beijing in response to recent comments by Taiwan regional leader Lai Ching-te.

Lai, who also leads the DPP, recently said on Facebook that there is no issue of "Taiwan independence" while defending the status quo of the "Republic of China". Some commentators in Taiwan have argued that if this is the case, the DPP should remove its "Taiwan independence" party platform as soon as possible.

Chen stressed that there is only one China in the world and that Taiwan is part of China, describing this as an indisputable historical and legal fact as well as the status quo across the Taiwan Strait.

He noted that the DPP has long been a separatist party advocating the separation of Taiwan from China, citing its "Taiwan independence" party platform.

Chen said that in October 1991, the DPP amended its party charter to include the goal of establishing a "sovereign and independent Republic of Taiwan" and drafting a "new constitution".

"Although several resolutions adopted by the party afterward used more disguised wording, they never abandoned the goal of separating Taiwan from China," he said.

The DPP authorities have, during every period in power in Taiwan, deliberately pursued "Taiwan independence" separatist activities in an attempt to change the status quo that both sides of the Strait belong to one China, Chen added.

He criticized Lai for remaining steadfast in his "Taiwan independence" stance and continuing what he described as provocative actions aimed at seeking "independence".

Chen said Lai was now adjusting his rhetoric in an attempt to mislead public opinion and deceive the public, calling him "a complete Taiwan independence swindler".

He added that "Taiwan independence" is fundamentally incompatible with peace across the Taiwan Strait, represents the greatest harm to Taiwan's development, and is a dead end.

Chen urged the DPP to recognize the situation, align with public opinion, immediately abandon its "Taiwan independence" party platform, stop separatist activities, acknowledge that both sides of the Strait belong to one China, and cease actions that obstruct and undermine cross-Strait relations.