There is no space for ambiguity in the nature of cross-Strait relations, a Chinese mainland spokesperson said Friday.

Major changes have occurred to cross-Strait situation in the past year, resulting in increasing tensions in cross-Strait relations, the loss of past achievements in peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and damages to the interests of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, due to Taiwan authorities’ refusal to accept the 1992 Consensus, which embodies the one-China principle, said An Fengshan, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

By refusing to endorse the 1992 Consensus, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has undermined the common political foundation for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.

If the political foundation is damaged, cross-Strait relations will return to the old path of uncertainty and turmoil, An said.

The fact that the Chinese mainland and Taiwan belong to one China shall not be changed, the principle of one China that is universally upheld by the international community shall not be challenged, he said.

“We will unswervingly stick to the one-China principle and uphold the 1992 Consensus. We will not tolerate any attempt to separate Taiwan from China,” An said.

Chinese people on both sides of the Strait should stand shoulder-to-shoulder to safeguard the foundation of cross-Strait relations, contain “Taiwan independence” forces and endeavor to realize the great revival of the Chinese nation, An said.

Su Hongzhang, former senior official in northeast China’s Liaoning Province, was sentenced to 14 years in prison by a court in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province on Friday for taking and offering bribes.

Su, formerly a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Liaoning Provincial Committee and head of the committee’s commission for political and legal affairs, was also fined 2 million yuan (around US$290,000), and his illicit gains will be turned over to the state treasury, the Intermediate People’s Court said in a statement.

Su was found to have accepted bribes worth 19.97 million yuan, in return for favor in legal cases, business and promotions, while holding a series of offices in Liaoning between 2004 and 2016.

The court said that Su had offered bribes of 1.1 million yuan to others in exchange for his own promotion in Liaoning from 2010 to 2011.

Su was given relatively lenient treatment in return for cooperating with investigators, handing over the proceeds of his crimes, and surrendering most of his illicit gains.

Chinese authorities on Friday publicized five typical cases involving fraud or blackmail conducted by fake journalists.

The National Office Against Pornographic and Illegal Publications said in a statement that law enforcement authorities have launched a special campaign against such violations.

In one case in Hebei, a total of 19 suspects have been held by the police. They were found to have pretended to be journalists and blackmailed enterprises or individuals by threatening to publish negative reports.

The suspects were also believed to have forged fake press cards for others.

In another case in Hainan, investigators found that the suspect falsely claimed to be a journalist and swindled over 200 rural families out of at least 1.5 million yuan (218,000 U.S. dollars) in the name of collecting deposits for poverty relief materials.

Eight villagers died while cleaning a sewage discharge outlet Friday in Dalian, a port city in northeast China’s Liaoning Province, local authorities said.

The accident happened at around 8:30 a.m. in Yanchang Village of Longtou Community in Lushunkou District, the press office of the district’s Party committee said in a statement.

It said the cause of the deaths is under investigation.

Exposure to toxic sewer gas such as methane and hydrogen sulfide can be fatal.

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with heroes and role models from public security departments across the country on Friday, stressing loyalty to the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, called for those working in the country’s public security departments to serve the people, promote impartiality in law enforcement, and remain disciplined.

Premier Li Keqiang and Liu Yunshan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, also joined the meeting.

Xi said that the heroes and role models are not only models for the public security system, but also the whole of society.

Hailing the public security forces as a team with a glorious tradition and excellent work, Xi said they have made remarkable contributions in safeguarding national security and social stability.

They have forged an “indestructible iron wall” for national security, public security and the safety of people’s lives and property, with their sweat, and even blood and lives, the president said.

Xi said he was deeply moved by stories of public security officers risking their lives when carrying out missions, adding that he also felt sorrow for those who lost their lives during missions.

The great spirit of heroes and role models should be carried forward in the entire country in cultivating and practicing the socialist core values, said Xi.

Xi called on public security forces to devote their utmost efforts to safeguarding national security and social stability, so as to meet the public needs and create a safe and stable social environment for the upcoming 19th National Congress of the CPC later this year.

CPC committees and governments at various levels were also urged to support public security forces and take care of police officers.

A total of 615 public security units and 1,320 individuals were honored at Friday’s meeting.