China on Friday highly appreciated the decision of the Kiribati government to recognize the one-China principle and break off the so-called "diplomatic relations" with the Taiwan authorities.

(File Photo: VCG)

“We support Kiribati’s important decision as an independent sovereign country,” Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang said.

Geng stressed that there is but one China in the world and the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing the whole of China. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. These are not only confirmed by the UN resolutions, but also the universal consensus of the international community.

China has established official diplomatic relationships with 178 countries on the basis of the one-China principle, according to the spokesperson.

Geng also welcomed the Solomon Islands’ decision to sever the so-called "diplomatic ties" with the Taiwan authorities two days ago.

“In the past few days, the Solomon Islands and Kiribati, Pacific Island countries, successively recognized the one-China principle, broke off the so-called ‘diplomatic relations’ with the Taiwan authorities and established diplomatic ties with China. These again fully testify to the fact that the one-China principle meets the shared aspiration of the people and constitutes an irresistible trend of the times,” said Geng.

Geng added that at present, China’s relations with Pacific Island countries have maintained a rapid development momentum.

“The Chinese side welcomes Kiribati’s integration into the big family of China-Pacific Island countries cooperation on the basis of the one-China principle at an early date. We stand ready to work with Kiribati to create broad prospects for our bilateral relations,” Geng added.

(Compiled by Zhang Jian)