FM refutes US, EU remarks on Lithuania issue

China on Friday refuted irresponsible remarks made by the United States and the European Union on China's recall of its ambassador to Lithuania, saying the one-China principle has a clear meaning that cannot be distorted or tampered with.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying made the comments as the US Department of State said each country should be able to determine the contours of its own "one China" policy without outside coercion, while the EU External Action Service claimed the EU does not regard the opening of a representative office in or from Taiwan as a breach of the bloc's one-China policy.

China has decided to recall its ambassador to Lithuania and demanded the Lithuanian government recall its ambassador to China after Lithuania announced it would allow the Taiwan authorities to open a "representative office" under the name of "Taiwan".

Any country, when following the one-China policy, must strictly abide by the one-China principle, including severing all official ties with the Taiwan authorities, Hua stressed in an online statement.

Hua said it is completely reasonable and lawful for China to respond to other countries' acts that undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

China strongly opposes US finger-pointing and interfering in China's legitimate measures, she said.

There is only one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, Hua said, adding it is an indisputable fact and a universally recognized norm governing international relations, as well as the common consensus of the international community.

Certain countries and people are trying to confuse public opinion with malicious intentions, but their plot is doomed to fail, Hua said.

She also urged the EU to uphold a correct position on Taiwan-related issues and refrain from sending wrong signals on issues concerning China's core interests and creating new troubles for China-EU relations.