China registers protest with US against Taiwan's flag hoisting ceremony in Washington

Reacting strongly to Taiwan's de facto embassy hoisting a Taiwanese flag on New Year's Day in Washington, China has reportedly urged the United States to follow "One China" policy.

China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying called on the U.S. to register protest and asked the nation to "prudently and properly handle" any issues relating to Taiwan. She also asked the U.S. to prevent similar incidents from happening in future, reported Stuff.co.nz.

The U.S. State Department responded by saying that it had not been notified in advance of the ceremony and added that it was inconsistent with the state's policy.

China considers Taiwan a "renegade province" and has not ruled out the use of force to take it back if the island tries to declare independence. The One China policy stipulates that there is only one China and that Taiwan is a part of it.

The two have been ruled separately ever since defeated nationalist forces fled to the island at the end of a civil war with the communists in 1949.

The flag hoisting ceremony in Washington was the first time the Taiwanese flag had been raised in the U.S. in 36 years since Washington switched recognition from Taiwan to Beijing in 1979.

The ceremony was attended by more than 100 people on Thursday, including Taiwan's top envoy to the U.S., Shen Lyushun.