Question: On March 3rd, the Grand Committee of the House of Lords of the UK held a debate on “support for democracy in Taiwan”, during which some members referred to Taiwan as  “the Ukraine of the Far East” and advocated stronger support for and protection of Taiwan from the UK Government. What is your comment on this?

Embassy Spokesperson: Making such a comparison between the Taiwan Question and the Ukraine issue, and advocating stronger support for and protection of Taiwan lay bare the total ignorance of certain UK politicians on history and the current situation as well as their presumptuous and sinister intention to undermine China’s unity. China firmly opposes and strongly condemns these moves.

There is but one China in the world. Taiwan is an inseparable part of the Chinese territory. The one-China principle is the extensive consensus of the international community and a widely-recognized norm governing international relations. It is also the important premise and political foundation for the establishment and development of diplomatic relations between China and all countries in the world, including the UK.

The Taiwan question is purely China’s internal affairs. It bears on China’s core interests and brooks no external interference. No one should underestimate the strong determination, resolve and capability of the Chinese people in safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

We urge the relevant politicians of the UK to stop “playing with fire” on the Taiwan question, stop engaging in anti-China manipulation and stop interfering in China’s internal affairs. We also urge the UK Government to abide by the one-China principle, avoid sending any wrong signal to the secessionist forces clamouring for “Taiwan independence”, and handle Taiwan-related issues in a discreet and appropriate manner.