No matter who leads Taiwan, it cannot change the fundamental fact that Taiwan is a part of China and that there is only one China in the world, said China's ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang at a symposium on cross-strait relations on Friday.

In his speech, Zheng emphasized that the Taiwan issue is at the core of China's core interests. Achieving national reunification is the common aspiration of the Chinese people at home and abroad and the firm will of the Chinese government and people.

"While we pursue peaceful reunification with utmost sincerity and efforts, we will resolutely thwart any attempts at 'Taiwan independence' and any external interference, no matter the cost."

Zheng stressed that the essence of the One-China principle is clear and cannot be distorted or questioned by anyone.

In the 1972 Sino-British Joint Communiqué on the exchange of ambassadors, the British government explicitly stated that the UK acknowledges Taiwan as a province of the People's Republic of China and recognizes the government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China. It was only after the UK made this clear commitment that formal diplomatic relations were established between China and the UK.

However, there is a group of people in the UK who support the 'Taiwan independence' forces and support Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organisation. These actions seriously violate the UK government's political commitments to China and interfere in China's internal affairs.

Zheng said that peace and cooperation is the mainstream opinion in Taiwan and the common wish of compatriots on both sides of the Strait. He hoped that overseas Chinese and students would firmly oppose separatist activities and promote the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations.

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