Beijing has reiterated its firm opposition to any official interactions between Washington and Taiwan, following Donald Trump’s remarks that he would be open to speaking with the person “running” the island, William Lai Ching-te.

“China’s opposition to official US exchanges with China’s Taiwan region and US arms to Taiwan remains consistent, clear and firm,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Thursday.

The ministry urged the United States to “earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the heads of state”, referring to Trump’s trip to Beijing last week when he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

It also called on Washington to “handle the Taiwan question with actual prudence” and take concrete actions to uphold the steady development of Sino-US relations.

Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary.