China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning said it is not China, but the ‘US side’ and ‘separatist activities’ which are attempting to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait by distorting the ‘One China Principle’ at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday.

"First of all, the status quo of the Taiwan Strait is that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to One China. Taiwan is a part of China. It is not the Chinese side that is trying to change the status quo, but the separatist activities of the Democratic Progressive Party authorities for Taiwan independence and the distortion of the “One China principle" by the US side,” Ning told journalists.

“The "One China Principle" is the most important political premise and foundation for the establishment and development of diplomatic relations between China and the United States. It is the basic consensus between China and the United States on the Taiwan issue. How to resolve the Taiwan issue is completely China's internal affairs,” she added.

Tensions between China and the United States heightened this summer, following visits by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and a number of other delegations to Taiwan. Beijing considers the island part of its territory under the 'One China' principle and has accused Washington of interfering in its internal affairs.