Will resolutely oppose Taiwan's independence: China

"We will protect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, maintain peaceful growth of cross straits relations and safeguard peace and stability," Premier Li Keqiang said.

Beijing: China will resolutely oppose Taiwan's independence, Premier Li Keqiang said on Sunday amid heightened tension between Beijing and the island.

"We will thoroughly implement the policies in our work report to Taiwan, uphold the 'One China' principle," Li said in his work report to the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC).

"We will protect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, maintain peaceful growth of cross straits relations and safeguard peace and stability," he said.

"China will not tolerate any activity, in any form or name, which attempts to separate Taiwan from the motherland," Li said.

China claims Taiwan as part of its mainland and opposes any country having any political and diplomatic relations with the self-ruled island.

China recently took exception to US President Donald Trump's comments that he would negotiate on the 'One China' policy.

Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke to Trump only after Trump agreed to abide by the 'One China policy' followed by his predecessors.

At the same time, Li said the notion of Hong Kong independence would lead nowhere, and Beijing would ensure that the principle of "one country, two systems" is applied in Hong Kong and Macao.

"We will continue to act in strict in compliance with China's constitution basic law of Hong Kong and Macau special administrative regions and we will ensure that the principle of one country two systems steadfastly applied without being bent or distorted," he said.

China recently objected to a British government report which stated that developments in Hong Kong have affected confidence in the city's autonomy, though the rule of law in the city remained robust 'despite challenges'.

Hong Kong witnessed a series of pro-democracy demonstrations with large participation of people over the past couple of years, with some people pushing for independence.