TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – China has no right to interfere in normal exchanges between sovereign countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Friday after Beijing criticized the visit to Taiwan by a diplomat from Fiji.

Fijian Permanent Representative at the UN Filipo Tarakinikini formed part of a delegation of foreign diplomats on a visit to Taiwan, per CNA. While other members of the delegation represented some of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies, Fiji maintains official relations with China instead of Taiwan.

Media in China quoted Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning (毛寧) as saying the visit broke Fiji’s promise to support the “one China principle.” Beijing expressed its strong dissatisfaction with the visit to the Fiji government, according to Mao.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement Friday that the country welcomed visits by its international friends. The visitors came to understand the latest developments in Taiwan and to exchange views on topics of interest, the ministry said.  

The delegation visiting Taiwan Nov. 3-8 also included the permanent representatives of the Marshall Islands and Paraguay to the UN.