China on Monday voiced support for the Spanish government's effort to maintain national unity after the Catalan parliament declared independence last week.

"China's position on this issue is consistent and clear. China regards it as a domestic affair of Spain and understands and supports the Spanish government's effort to maintain national unity, ethnic solidarity and territorial integrity," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a daily news conference in Beijing.

"We understand and support the Spanish government's efforts to uphold national unity, ethnic solidarity and territorial integrity," Hua said.

"We oppose moves to split the country and breach the rule of law and believe Spain is capable of protecting social order and citizens' rights within the legal and institutional framework."

China has developed friendly cooperation with Spain in various areas based on the principles of respect for each other's sovereign and territorial integrity and noninterference in domestic affairs, she said.

China Daily

(China Daily 10/31/2017 page12)