Beijing: China on Monday hit back at British Trade Policy Minister Greg Hands over his visit to Taiwan for talks with senior officials defying Beijing's warnings not to have official contacts with Taipei, saying the UK is going back on its commitment to the one-China policy.
The two-day visit, which began on Monday, bears political significance as it's the first trip by a high-level British official since Prime Minister Rishi Sunak took office last month amid reports that he may toe a hardline against China.
The British minister's visit to Taipei follows the August tour of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan, the first by an American top leader in 25 years - prompting Beijing to resort to large-scale unprecedented military drills in the Taiwan Strait, which included the firing of missiles over the self-ruled island. (PTI)