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China firmly opposes any official exchanges between UK, Taiwan
CGTN
 Aerial view of Taipei City, southeast China's Taiwan. /CFP
Aerial view of Taipei City, southeast China's Taiwan. /CFP

Aerial view of Taipei City, southeast China's Taiwan. /CFP

China firmly opposes any form of official exchanges between the UK and Taiwan, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday, urging the UK to stop sending erroneous signals to "Taiwan independence" forces.

UK Minister for Trade Policy Greg Hands will pay a two-day visit to Taiwan this week for trade talks and meet Taiwan region's leader Tsai Ing-wen, his office said on Monday.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian responded to the move at Monday's regular press briefing in Beijing. "We urge the British side to effectively respect China's sovereignty, abide by the one-China principle, stop any form of official interactions with Taiwan, and stop sending wrong signals to the 'Taiwan independence' forces," he said.

There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, Zhao reiterated, stressing the one-China principle is the political foundation for China and the UK to develop bilateral relations.

Zhao also sent a stern warning to Taiwan authorities that "colluding with external forces to seek 'independence' is doomed to failure."

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