The Chinese foreign ministry on Monday responded over Taiwan's confirmation on the cut of its ties with Gambia, vowing joint efforts with Taiwan to safeguard the sound situation of cross-Strait ties.

The ministry noticed Taiwan's ties with Gambia had changed, spokesman Qin Gang told a daily news briefing, adding the mainland is willing to further enhance the cross-Strait relations.

The mainland has always insisted on developing friendly and cooperative relations with the rest of the world on the basis of the one-China principle and the principles of peaceful coexistence, Qin noted.

According to media reports, Gambia said last Thursday it had "cut diplomatic relations" with Taiwan after 18 years. Taiwan confirmed this on Monday.

Foreign Ministry Hong Lei said last Friday "there was no contact" between the mainland and Gambia.

(Source: Xinhua)