Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Monday that China's sanctions and countermeasures against Japanese lawmaker Keiji Furuya, imposed over his visits to China's Taiwan region, are intended to "serve as a warning and deterrent" in response to his egregious actions.

Mao emphasized that the Taiwan question is at the very core of China's core interests and represents a red line that must not be crossed.

Furuya, a member of Japan's House of Representatives, has repeatedly visited China's Taiwan and colluded with "Taiwan independence" separatist forces despite China's strong opposition, the Foreign Ministry noted in a statement released earlier on Monday.

Such actions seriously violate the one-China principle and the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan, constitute a gross interference in China's internal affairs, and seriously undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to the statement.

Under China's Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, Beijing will freeze any movable, immovable and other assets he holds within China, prohibit individuals and organizations in the country from conducting business or cooperation with him, and deny him a visa and entry, including to Hong Kong and Macao.

China will also consider taking all other necessary punitive measures as the situation requires, the spokeswoman added.