BEIJING, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- China has lodged solemn representations with Italy and the EU over the visit of "Taiwan independence" politicians to Italy for a conference, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday.

Mao made the remarks at a regular press briefing when asked to comment on Taiwan's Hsiao Bi-khim's visit to Italy.

"The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities and certain politicians are resorting to all manner of tricks to seek publicity," Mao said.

Noting that they seek independence by colluding with external forces under the pretext of "democracy" and "freedom," Mao said such acts are contemptible and will ultimately prove futile.

Mao stressed that there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory.

China has always firmly opposed any form of official exchanges between countries that have established diplomatic ties with China and China's Taiwan region, Mao said.

Mao said the one‑China principle is a universally recognized norm in international relations and the common consensus of the international community. It also constitutes the political foundation of China‑Italy relations and China‑EU relations, she added.

"We urge the relevant parties to honour the one‑China principle with concrete actions," the spokesperson said.