China said on Monday that the sanctions and countermeasures against Japanese lawmaker Keiji Furuya, imposed over his visits to China's Taiwan region, are intended to serve as "an action of warning and deterrence" in response to his egregious actions.

The Taiwan question is at the center of China's core interests and represents a red line that must not be crossed, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a regular news conference in Beijing on Monday.

China has lodged serious protests with the Japanese side over the visit by Furuya, a member of Japan's House of Representatives, Mao said.

Furuya has persisted in his actions despite China's repeated clarifications of its firm position on Taiwan following erroneous remarks from the Japanese side, she said.

His collusion with "Taiwan independence" separatist forces" constitutes serious interference in China's internal affairs and violation of China's sovereignty and core interests", she said.

In response to his egregious moves and in accordance with China's Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, the Foreign Ministry announced a series of sanctions and countermeasures against Furuya on Monday morning.

Effective immediately, the measures would freeze any assets — movable or immovable — that Furuya holds in China, prohibit individuals and organizations in the country from conducting business or cooperation with him, and deny him a visa and entry to China, including to the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, according to a statement issued by the ministry.

Warning and deterrence

The severe punishment on Furuya is intended to serve as "an action of warning and deterrence", Mao said, adding that China will take any additional punitive measures if deemed necessary in the future.

Zhu Fenglian, a spokeswoman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said China's countermeasures are justified actions based on Chinese law, aimed at safeguarding national interests and in line with international norms.

She condemned the Democratic Progressive Party authorities in Taiwan for ingratiating themselves with external forces and betraying national interests for the sake of their own party's self-interest. Such actions would inevitably be judged by history, Zhu added.

jihaisheng@chinadaily.com.cn