China is resolutely opposed to trade talks between the U.S. and the Taiwan region under a so-called "U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade," the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

The one-China principle is the prerequisite for China's Taiwan region to take part in overseas economic cooperation, the ministry's spokesperson Shu Jueting told a press briefing.

China urges the U.S. side to properly handle trade relations with the Taiwan region and respect China's core interests, the spokesperson said, adding China will take all necessary measures to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests.