Wang Yi warns Paris against sending wrong signals to Taiwan

Beijing (ANTARA) - China hopes France will refrain from any form of official contact with Taiwan and will not send wrong signals to groups supporting Taiwanese independence, according to China Central Television, citing Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

“The ‘One China’ principle is the political foundation of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and France,” Wang said, as quoted by the broadcaster on Monday (14/9).

He expressed the hope that “France, through concrete actions, strictly abides by the ‘One China’ principle, refrains from any form of official contact with Taiwan, and does not send wrong signals to the forces supporting Taiwanese independence,” the report added.

Taiwan has been governed separately from mainland China since 1949. Beijing regards the island as part of its territory, whilst Taiwan, which has its own elected government, describes itself as a self-governing state, although it has not formally declared independence.

Beijing opposes any form of official contact between foreign countries and Taipei and considers Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan to be beyond dispute.

Source: Sputnik/RIA Novosti-OANA