China opposes Taiwan's UN bid

China has voiced strong opposition to Taiwan's latest bid to get a seat on the United Nations.

The Xinhua official news agency quoted a foreign ministry spokesman as saying China was highly indignant about the proposal.

He accused the countries backing the bid of interfering in China's internal affairs, and of violating Chinese sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Beijing has blocked Taipei's membership bid every year since 1993, as it regards the island as a breakaway province that must be reunited with the mainland.

Taiwan's application, which is backed by 15 countries, will be considered at the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly later this year.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service