China accuses UK of ‘serious interference’ in Taiwan visit

China calls the trip by British politicians to deepen ties with Taiwan a “blatant violation” of its one-China policy.

China accused a committee of British lawmakers visiting Taiwan of “serious interference” in its internal affairs and warned it could “receive forceful responses”.

The ongoing visit to Taiwan by members of the British Foreign Affairs committee is a “blatant violation” of the one-China principle, the Chinese Embassy in the UK said in a statement posted on Twitter on Thursday.

China claims Taiwan, a self-governing, democratic island, as its own territory and part of what it calls its “one China” policy. Taiwan rejects China’s claims to sovereignty.

“The Chinese side urges the British side to honor their commitment, stop any actions that violate the one-China principle, and stop interfering in China’s internal affairs,” the embassy spokesperson said in the statement.

“Moves on the UK side that undermine China’s interests will be met with forceful responses from the Chinese side.”

The visit sent the wrong signal to those who want Taiwan to be independent, the statement said.

Embassy spokesperson on the visit to Taiwan of a delegation from the House of Commons of the UK Parliamenthttps://t.co/ZasIiKSDDY pic.twitter.com/Oo2daJD2A6

— Embassy of China in the UK (@ChineseEmbinUK) December 1, 2022

British lawmakers met with Taiwanese Prime Minister Su Tseng-chang on Thursday and are scheduled to meet with President Tsai Ing-Wen on Friday.

The visit is part of the committee’s work to study the turn of foreign policy towards the Indo-Pacific region, which the British government has considered an economic and diplomatic priority since its departure from the European Union.

Committee members did not immediately respond to a request for comment on China’s allegations.

“We hope to continue to deepen the friendly and cooperative relations between Taiwan and the United Kingdom through this face-to-face exchange, and continue to work together for peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region,” the office of Taiwan said. tsai. he said.

In August, the then Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, visited Taiwan, sparking a major crisis between China and the US.