A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in London described former UK prime minister Liz Truss's visit to Taiwan as a "dangerous political show" which will do nothing but harm.

"This provocative move has caused strong indignation among the Chinese people and will be firmly rejected by people with conscience from all walks of life," the spokesperson said.

In the clearest attempt to explain Britain's approach to China under Sunak, the foreign minister James Cleverly said last month it would be a mistake to isolate Beijing and that engagement is needed in areas such as climate change.

However Truss's visit has convinced the Chinese embassy to reiterate the One China policy saying, "There is but one China in the world, and Taiwan has been an inalienable part of China's territory since ancient times. Taiwan's return to China is a component of the post-war international order."

Truss said the West must avoid appeasing China and show unwavering support for the democratically governed island, in a speech that risks further damaging Britain's ties with Beijing.

Truss is the most well-known British politician to visit Taiwan since former prime minister Margaret Thatcher in the 1990s.

In contrast to French President Emmanuel Macron's attempts to distance Europe from the issue, Truss said it would be "completely irresponsible" for European nations to argue that the island is too far away or not important.

Truss said China was trying to use its global economic clout to "gain dominance" and undertake "the biggest military build-up in peacetime history." However, she said, many in the West chose to appease China because they don't want another Cold War.

A series of international documents, including the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, have clearly defined China's sovereignty over Taiwan.  The spokesperson urged Downing Street to "correct her wrongdoing," suggesting that if she continued in this vain it would only serve to "further expose herself as a failed politician." 

Subscribe to Storyboard: A weekly newsletter bringing you the best of CGTN every Friday