China's ambassador to the United States said that Beijing would never bargain with Washington over issues pertaining to its national sovereignty or territorial integrity.

Speaking to executives of top US companies, Ambassador Cui Tiankai said that China and the United States needed to work on ways to strengthen their relationship.

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"The political foundation of China-U.S relations should not be undermined. It should be preserved," the ambassador said.

Tiankai added that basic norms of international relations should be observed and not ignored and that they should not be seen as commodities that can be traded off.

"National sovereignty and territorial integrity are not bargaining chips.  Absolutely not. I hope everybody would understand that," the ambassador reiterated.

The ambassador did not specifically mention Taiwan or Trump's comments last week that the US do not have to necessarily stick to the "One China" policy. The "One China" policy has been in place for nearly four decades, and it recognizes Taiwan as part of China.

Ambassador Cui's remarks are in line with the recent protests from China's Foreign Ministry that views the "One China" policy as the cornerstone for the US-China ties.

China's government sees Taiwan as a renegade province, and Beijing has never renounced the use of force as a viable option to bring Taiwan back under its control.

Last Thursday (Dec. 15), China's state-run newspaper Global Times said that China needs to take the lead in deciding the future of Taiwan.

"It is hoped that peace in the Taiwan Straits won't be disrupted. The Chinese mainland needs to display its resolution to recover Taiwan by force," the tabloid said, adding that peace does not belong to cowards.

US corporate executives, on the other hand, are getting worried about their business opportunities in China due to the tough restrictions on foreign investment that have been put in place. The ambassador, meanwhile, said that China will ensure that there is a level playing field for all companies in the country, both domestic and foreign.

Tagschina, United States, Taiwan, China and Taiwan, donald trump