BEIJING - China's top legislator Zhao Leji on Friday stressed resolutely combating "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and curbing interference from external forces.

Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, made the remarks at a symposium in Beijing marking the 20th anniversary of the enforcement of the Anti-Secession Law.

Zhao, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, emphasized the importance of unswervingly advancing the cause of national reunification.

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Over the past 20 years, especially since the 18th CPC National Congress, the country has further enriched the legal framework for punishing "Taiwan independence" separatist activities, resolutely fought against separatism and countered interference, while improving systems and policies that contribute to the well-being of Taiwan compatriots, he noted.

These efforts have effectively upheld the one-China principle and made continuous progress in opposing "Taiwan independence" and promoting reunification, Zhao said.

"Resolving the Taiwan question and realizing China's complete reunification is a shared aspiration of all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation and a natural requirement for realizing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," Zhao added.

Zhao emphasized the need to strengthen confidence and determination in advancing national reunification.

This includes resolutely safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity to protect the shared homeland of the Chinese nation, facilitating cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation to jointly foster lasting prosperity of the Chinese nation, and promoting Chinese culture to forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, he stated.

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Speakers at Friday's symposium included the director of the Taiwan Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, the head of the NPC Constitution and Law Committee, the commander of the Eastern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army, and a representative of Taiwan compatriots.

DPP slammed

A defense spokesperson on Friday denounced Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities for intoxicating themselves with the illusion of soliciting US support for "Taiwan independence."

They willingly act as a pawn and betray the people of Taiwan, said Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, commenting on a recent statement from the DPP authorities claiming that the United States is unlikely to give up Taiwan.

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The US side attempts to contain China with Taiwan, and is doubling down on arming Taiwan, while the DPP authorities are seeking to exploit such a situation to increase the defense spending, Zhang said.

Their actions have gravely harmed the security and well-being of people in Taiwan, and severely undermined peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, he added.

Ultimately, the DPP, the useful fool, will end up being an abandoned tool, Zhang said.