China supports Spanish government amid Catalonia crisis

Beijing Oct 30 (IANS) China on Monday voiced support for the Spanish government s effort to maintain national unity after the Catalan Parliament voted to unilaterally declare independence last week.

"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 spokesperson Hua Chunying was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.

"China opposes moves to split the country and breach the rule of law and believes Spain is capable of protecting social order and citizens rights within the legal and institutional framework " Hua said.

Shortly after the Catalan Parliament s independence announcement on Friday Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy assumed direct control of the region sacked its secessionist government and called a snap election for December 21.

--IANS
soni/mr