In this Aug 17, 2020 photo, Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian takes questions at a regular media briefing in Beijing. (PHOTO / FMPRC.GOV.CN)

BEIJING / UNITED NATIONS - china firmly opposes any form of official exchanges between the United States and Taiwan, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday, adding that some US politicians would pay a heavy price for their wrongdoings concerning China's Taiwan region.

Spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks at a daily press briefing when responding to a question about US Ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft, who held talks with Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen via video link on Thursday.

Spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks at a daily press briefing when responding to a question about US Ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft, who held talks with Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen via video link on Thursday

"Craft's words and deeds interfere in China's internal affairs, gravely violate the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, and go against the US political commitment on the Taiwan question. China firmly opposes this," Zhao said.

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There is only one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory, Zhao said. 

"The government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing China. This fact is recognized by the international community and a basic principle governing international relations," he said.

"The United Nations consists of sovereign states. The participation of China's Taiwan region in international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), must be handled under the one-China principle," Zhao said, adding that it is also an important principle recognized in the UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 and the World Health Assembly Resolution 25.1.

"The central government of China attaches great importance to the health and well-being of Taiwan compatriots. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, we have repeatedly and timely informed Taiwan region of the latest epidemic prevention and control developments, and made appropriate arrangements for Taiwan's participation in global health affairs," he said.

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There is an International Health Regulations Contact Point in the Taiwan region, and its exchange of information with the WHO and other countries is smooth, Zhao added.

The US should abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, and stop interfering in China's internal affairs and undermining China-US relations, Zhao said.

"China will continue to take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard its sovereignty and security interests. Some US politicians will surely pay a heavy price for their wrongdoings," he added.

On Wednesday, the Chinese mission to the United Nations (UN) tweeted that the US attempt to challenge the one-China principle is doomed to fail.

In response to a phone call between Craft and Tsai after Craft's trip to Taipei this week got scrapped, the Chinese UN mission tweeted "as Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Kelly Craft should reread the UN Charter and General Assembly resolution 2758 (1971).” 

The United States should understand that the attempt to challenge the one-China principle receives no support and is doomed to fail. 

China's Permanent Mission to the United Nations

“The United States should understand that the attempt to challenge the one-China principle receives no support and is doomed to fail," it added.

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Craft, who is due to leave the role when Joe Biden assumes the presidency next week, wrote on Twitter that it was a "great privilege" to speak with Tsai.

The Chinese UN mission tweeted that "it is clearly stated in the Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and the United States released on 16 December 1978 that the United States recognizes the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal Government of China, and within this context, the people of the United States will maintain cultural, commercial, and other unofficial relations with the people of Taiwan."

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"This move is a breach of the commitment the United States has made to China and again proves the lack of integrity in the US government," it added.