Chinese Embassy spokesperson's comment on UK Parliament passing a so-called motion on 'UK-Taiwan friendship and cooperation'

Question: On 10 February, the House of Commons of the UK Parliament passed a nonbinding motion on "UK-Taiwan friendship and cooperation" which states that UK should strengthen trade relations and security cooperation with Taiwan and support Taiwan in winning broader international recognition. What is your comment?

Embassy Spokesperson: We firmly oppose the motion of the British House of Commons agitating to elevate the relations between the United Kingdom and Taiwan, and we strongly condemn the actions of individual MPs on Taiwan-related issues.

There is only one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. This one-China principle is a universally-recognized norm governing international relations and the consensus of the international community. It is also the important precondition and political foundation of the diplomatic relations between China and other countries including the UK.

The Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair. It concerns China's core interests and brooks no foreign interference whatsoever. No one should underestimate the steely determination, firm will and strong capability of the Chinese people to defend the country's territorial sovereignty.

The biggest threat to the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait at present is the intensified collusion of the authorities of the Democratic Progressive Party with external forces to continue carrying out secessionist activities of "Taiwan independence". The military activities of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China in the Taiwan Strait are necessary operations taken in view of the current security situation in the region and the need to safeguard national sovereignty and security. They are the solemn response to secessionist provocations and external interference.

We urge the relevant British MPs to stop anti-China political manipulation, stop interfering in China's internal affairs and stop "playing with fire" on the question of Taiwan. We also urge the UK side to observe the one-China principle, stay away from all forms of official interactions with Taiwan, avoid sending wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" forces and handle Taiwan-related issues appropriately so as not to create new obstacles for the China-UK relations.