Question: British Foreign Secretary Truss delivered a speech yesterday, in which she launched an unprovoked attack on China, criticizing China for not condemning Russia and claiming that if China did not play by “the rules”, the West would unite to prevent China’s rise. She also clamored that the West should help Taiwan to defend itself. What's your comment?

Embassy Spokesperson: The above-mentioned remarks made by the UK official are arrogant, rude and unreasonable. We are gravely concerned and firmly opposed to this.

The international community is deeply saddened that the Ukraine issue has developed to the point where it is today, and people of the world hope that peace could return to Europe at an early date. However, instead of working earnestly to promote peace talks and an early ceasefire, some people are bent on instigating the escalation of conflicts and inciting bloc confrontation. It seems to them that the chaos in Europe is not enough, and they want to take the whole world down. What kind of mentality is this?

China’s policy and position on the Ukraine issue is consistent and clear. During a video call with EU leaders not long ago, President Xi Jinping of China put forward a four-point plan for handling and resolving the Ukrainian crisis, which we have expounded on many occasions. China has always stood on the side of peace, on the side of the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and on the right side of history.

We would also like to remind the UK official that there is only one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing the whole of China. The one-China principle is the general consensus of the international community and the norm of international relations, and it is also the political foundation and important prerequisite for the establishment and development of diplomatic relations between China and the UK. The UK government recognized Taiwan as a province of China as early as 50 years ago. We urge the UK official to stop manipulating Taiwan-related issues and stop any words and deeds that go against the one-China principle, so as not to cause new damage to China-UK relations.

It must be pointed out that there is only one international system in the world, that is, the one with the United Nations at the core; there is only one order, and that is the international order based on international law; and there is only one set of rules, that is, the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Gone are the days when a handful of Western countries could manipulate international rules and monopolise world affairs! The imperialist and Cold-War mindset betrayed in the above mentioned remarks of the UK side are against the will of the people of the world and utterly anachronistic!

China is always a defender of world peace, a contributor to global development and an upholder of international order. The Chinese people have high confidence in their vision and cause. Any attempt to obstruct the progress of the Chinese people is doomed to fail!