China on Saturday hit back at US President-elect Donald Trump's suggestion that the "One China" policy on Taiwan is open for "negotiation," reiterating once again that the sensitive policy is a "political foundation" of the Sino-US bilateral relationship.

China's response was on the expected lines, which still considers the self-rule Taiwan as an integral part of Mainland China.

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"The 'One China' principle is the political foundation of Sino-US relations and it is non-negotiable. We urge the relevant side in the US to recognize the high sensitivity of the Taiwan issue and abide by the pledges by successive US administrations from both parties," spokesman Lu Kang said.  

Lu asserted that only when US upholds the principle in true spirit and handles the Taiwan issue carefully can there be healthy and stable US-Sino relationship.

Nearly a month ago, Beijing gave a similar response to US after Trump made an unprecedented move to accept a congratulatory phone call from Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen.

Trump Again Rakes Up the 'One China' Controversy

Trump was at it yet again on Friday as he once again reminded Beijing that its most important foreign policy is under his "negotiation list." He issued the reminder in an interview given to a leading US newspaper.    

The re-assertion came almost a month after the Republican leader urged the US government to use the
"One China" policy as a bargaining chip against Beijing. His suggestion of "bargaining chip" apparently means that the US must induce Beijing to do more on its controversial trade practices, which apparently was one of the talking points during Trump's election campaign.

The "One China" policy basically upholds that China and Taiwan are part of one nation, directly impinging on the island nation's sovereign claims. The island nation had separated from mainland China in 1949, after the end of a bitter civil war.

Tagschina, One China policy, Taiwan, China and Taiwan, donald trump, Trump China