Question: What consensus did China and the UK reach on the Taiwan question when the two countries established ambassadorial diplomatic relations?

Spokesperson: This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-UK ambassadorial diplomatic relations. Fifty years ago, China and the UK signed the "Communiqué of the Governments of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of the People's Republic of China on an exchange of Ambassadors" in Beijing. The contents of the communique are as follows:

Both confirming the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in each other's internal affairs and equality and mutual benefit, the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the United Kingdom have decided to raise the level of their respective diplomatic representatives in each other's capitals from charges d'affaires to ambassadors as from March 13, 1972.

The Government of the United Kingdom, acknowledging the position of the Chinese Government that Taiwan is a province of the People's Republic of China, have decided to remove their official representation in Taiwan on March 13, 1972.

The Government of the United Kingdom recognize the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal Government of China.

The Government of the People's Republic of China appreciates the above stand of the Government of the United Kingdom.

It is clear from the Communiqué that the one-China principle has been the political foundation for the establishment of full diplomatic relationship between China and the UK, and also the basic guarantee for the healthy and steady development of China-UK relations. History has clearly shown that when this principle is strictly followed, China-UK relations will develop smoothly; otherwise, the relations will suffer troubles or even setbacks.