Question: On 30 December, the spokesperson of the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office made erroneous remarks on the military exercises around Taiwan conducted by the People's Liberation Army, calling for restraint and the avoidance of any further actions that risk undermining peace and stability. What is China's comment?

Embassy Spokesperson: The remarks made by the UK side are a misrepresentation of the facts and a manipulation of the truth. China deeply deplores and firmly opposes such remarks.

Taiwan is a province of China, and Taiwan question is China's internal affair. The biggest threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait comes from the separatist forces who seek "Taiwan independence" through military buildup and external interference. The drills conducted by the PLA are a punitive and deterrent action against Taiwan separatist forces, a stern warning against external interference and a necessary move to safeguard China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity. No country is entitled to make irresponsible comments on it.   

China urges the UK government to earnestly respect the one-China principle and honour its commitment to China, refraining from any action which interferes in China's internal affairs, emboldens the separatists in Taiwan and undermines peace and stability in Taiwan Strait.