China condemns Pompeo's remarks on Taiwan

China denounced the United States on Wednesday for sending congratulations to Taiwan's newly-inaugurated leader, saying Taiwan's independence was a "road that leads to death."

"Any connivance or support for Taiwanese independence is doomed to failure," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a media briefing in Beijing.

"Any damage to China's core interest and any interference in China's internal affairs will be vigorously counter-attacked," he added.

Zhao was responding to US secretary of state Mike Pompeo who praised Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen as "an inspiration to the region and the world".

At the briefing, Zhao also urged the U.S. to lift sanctions against a Chinese company that the U.S. said was doing business with Iran.

The U.S. treasury department accused Shanghai Saint Logistics Limited of acting as general agent for Iranian airline Mahan Air, which provided support for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Zhao called the sanctions "illegal" and accused the U.S. of "upholding unilateralism".

(Representative Image)