China summons Philippine ambassador over Taiwan election comments

China on Tuesday said it had summoned the Philippine ambassador after President Ferdinand Marcos said he looked forward to working with Taiwanese president-elect Lai Ching-te.

"This morning, Assistant Minister Nong Rong summoned the ambassador of the Philippines to China to make solemn representations and urge the Philippine side to give the Chinese side a responsible explanation," foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular press conference.

"The Chinese side is strongly dissatisfied and resolutely opposes" Marcos's remarks, Mao said.

Independence-leaning Lai eased to a comfortable victory in Taiwan's presidential election on Saturday.

China regards the democratic island as part of its territory and has vowed to seize it, by force if necessary.

Beijing does not maintain diplomatic ties with countries that recognise Taiwan and opposes official communications with Taipei by foreign powers.

In a Monday social media post, Marcos congratulated Lai on his election and said he looked forward to "close collaboration" with him.

The remarks "are a serious violation of the One China Principle... a serious breach of the political commitments made by the Philippines to the Chinese side, and a gross interference in China's internal affairs", Mao said.

"We are telling the Philippine side not to play with fire on the Taiwan issue... and to stop immediately its wrongful words and deeds on Taiwan-related issues and sending wrong signals to separatist forces for Taiwan independence," she added.

"We advise President Marcos to read more to properly understand the history of the Taiwan issue so that he can draw the right conclusions."

Beijing says US stance on Nauru diplomatic switch a 'smear' on China

Beijing on Tuesday said the United States's expression of disappointment in Nauru for switching diplomatic recognition from Taiwan was a "smear" on China.

Washington "is doing its utmost to smear and slander China's diplomatic efforts, and putting in a word for Taiwan to expand its space on the international stage," foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular press conference.

Nauru, a tiny island nation in the South Pacific, said Monday it was switching diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China.

The announcement came just days after independence-leaning candidate Lai Ching-te -- loathed by Beijing -- won the Taiwanese presidential election.

China views Taiwan as part of its own territory and has vowed to one day seize it, by force if necessary.

Beijing does not maintain relations with countries that recognise Taiwan and has stepped up efforts to diplomatically isolate Taipei in recent years.

"The United States is blatantly making irresponsible remarks about a decision made independently by a sovereign state," Mao said.

"This seriously violates the One China Principle... seriously interferes in China's internal affairs, and seriously violates basic norms of international relations," she added.

"China is strongly dissatisfied and firmly opposes this."