(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-12-06 08:38

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said on Wednesday that Britain opposed Taiwan's referendum to "gain membership of the United Nations" under the name of Taiwan.

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband (R) meets with his visiting Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi on Wednesday, December 5, 2007. [Xinhua]

"Our One-China policy has not changed," Miliband told a joint news conference after talks with his visiting Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi.

"We do not support the proposed referendum in Taiwan for it to gain membership of the United Nations under the name of Taiwan," said he, adding that any "reckless" maneuvers were to "be deplored."

On Wednesday, Miliband met Yang for talks over bilateral and international issues.

The relations between China and Britain have maintained good momentum for development, said Yang, who arrived in London on Tuesday at the invitation of Miliband for a three-day official visit.

With deepening economic globalization and regional integration, countries are becoming increasingly interdependent and their interests are more closely intertwined, said Yang, adding that strengthening bilateral cooperation is of fundamental interests for both China and Britain, and is also conducive to world peace and stability.

Yang praised Britain for its adherence to one-China policy.

During the meeting, Miliband said that Britain would continue to make efforts in deepening the relations between China and Britain.

Yang and Miliband agreed to work together to make full preparations for British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's coming visit to China in January next year, to strengthen cooperation in such areas as trade, investment, culture, education, research and development and Olympic Games.

They also agreed to strengthen consultation and cooperation on international and regional issues, such as climate change, and work together to push forward the development of Sino-Europe relations and oppose trade protectionism.

Yang and Miliband also exchanged views on the Iran nuclear dispute, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's nuclear issue, and the situation in Darfur.