British official's meeting with Taiwan figure violation of one-China principle: Embassy

Tom Tugendhat, Minister of State for Security of the UK Home Office recently met with Audrey Tang, the head of the "Ministry of Digital Affairs" of the Taiwan region recently. Chinese Embassy in the UK strongly criticized the meeting, stating that it violates the one-China principle and interferes in China's internal affairs. "We want to make it clear to the UK side that any actions that undermine China's interests will be met with resolute responses," said the Embassy spokesperson.

The following is a readout of the spokesperson's remarks on the meeting.

Question: According to media reports, Tom Tugendhat, Minister of State for Security of the UK Home Office recently met with Audrey Tang, the head of the "Ministry of Digital Affairs" of the Taiwan region. What is your comment?

Embassy Spokesperson: The British side allowed certain figure from the Taiwan region to visit the UK and arranged for relevant official to meet with said person. This move seriously violates the one-China principle and the basic norms of international relations. It sends a seriously wrong signal to the separatist forces for “Taiwan independence” and grossly interferes in China's internal affairs. China strongly deplores and firmly opposes this.

Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair. The one-China principle is a recognised basic norm of international relations and a universal consensus of the international community. It is also the political foundation for the establishment and development of diplomatic relations between China and the UK. China urges the UK to earnestly abide by the one-China principle and basic norms governing international relations, stop any official exchanges with the Taiwan authorities, and stop emboldening separatist forces for "Taiwan independence". We want to make it clear to the UK side that any actions that undermine China's interests will be met with resolute responses.