MOSCOW, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Russia recognizes Taiwan as an inalienable part of China and opposes any form of "Taiwan independence," the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday.

Some countries, while claiming their adherence to the one-China principle, advocate maintaining the status quo, which runs counter to the principle of China's national reunification, the ministry said in a statement sent to Xinhua.

The Taiwan question is currently being used by certain countries as an instrument of military and strategic containment against China, the ministry said.

Russia's principled position on the Taiwan question is well known, unchanged, and has been repeatedly reaffirmed at the highest level, it said, adding that the Taiwan question is China's internal affair and China has every legitimate basis to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. ■