China has reacted strongly to a series of words and actions by the UK which it sees as infringing on its sovereignty and domestic affairs.

In a phone call this morning. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi has warned UK counterpart Liz Truss that a security deal between the UK, Australia and the U.S. will provoke confrontations.

And the Chinese embassy in London followed up with two statements rebuking Truss and defense minister Ben Wallace for comments they made regarding the electoral system in Hong Kong and military flights around the island of Taiwan.

Under a tripartite defense agreement, nicknamed AUKUS, Australia will receive nuclear-powered, but not nuclear-armed, submarines through a collaboration between London and Washington.

According to a summary of a telephone call provided by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Wang said that providing Australia with enriched uranium reactors poses a serious risk of nuclear proliferation. 

"The creation of a new military bloc in the region will trigger an arms race, provoke confrontation between major powers, and undermine regional peace and stability," the summary recorded. The UK has not yet released its own account of the conversation.

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Taiwan

The UK's attempts to play a greater role in the south east Asia region have increased tensions with China. Earlier this, Britain's flagship aircraft carrier sailed through the South China Sea in a voyage that Prime Minister Boris Johnson said was intended to send a message to Beijing. And UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace, who had previously antagonized China by expressing opposition to its territorial claims, this week described military operations in the Taiwan Strait as "unwise".

China dismissed his latest comments on the grounds that its forces had been taking legitimate measures in response to provocations by secessionists on the island, which is internationally recognized as part of China. The issue has become particularly sensitive after U.S. president Joe Biden said he was ready to use force to defend Taiwan in the event of a conflict.

The embassy statement warned external forces not to interfere in what is an internal matter for China.

Hong Kong

In a separate statement, China's embassy rebuked Truss over comments she had made regarding the electoral process in Hong Kong.

Truss said yesterday that the resignation of 250 councilors and the disqualification of others in the region was "deeply concerning".

"The Hong Kong SAR Government must uphold freedom of speech and allow the public a genuine choice of political representatives," she said.

Her "irresponsible" comments mischaracterize the electoral changes in Hong Kong which will improve the healthy development of democracy and protect freedoms, the embassy said.

"China urges Britain to stop using Hong Kong-related issues for political manipulation and stop interfering in China's internal affairs in any way," the statement concluded.

COP, economy

However, in his call with Truss Wang also stressed that the UK and China have many common areas to work together.

Most notably, he promised support to the COP 26 talks taking place in Glasgow, Scotland next month and highlighted financial services and the digital economy as mutually beneficial opportunities.

"If China-UK cooperation can continue, it will certainly provide strong support for their respective national development strategies," the foreign ministry's statement said.

Relations between China and the UK have become strained this year as London has become increasingly vocal in its criticism of policies in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. The two countries exchanged sanctions on each others' officials and organisations in March.

China says that the UK should not interfere in its domestic affairs but instead focus on win-win collaboration on issues of common interest. Wang said that as permanent members of the security council, positive relations were beneficial not only to the two countries but the whole world.