"No matter what happens, China's space program will develop in the future, and exploration will go on," foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told a regular briefing.

China reacted furiously last week after Kiribati decided to establish diplomatic ties with Beijing's arch-enemy Taiwan.

The Chinese government routinely cuts ties with any government that recognizes Taiwan, although in this case it will cast doubt on the future of a Chinese-operated space monitoring station located on Kiribati.

Liu repeated Chinese accusations that Taiwan was buying friends on the international stage.

"The Taiwan authorities have been engaged in dollar diplomacy on the international stage aiming at achieving their separatist aims," Liu said.

"These activities damage the fundamental interests of all people in China, including people on Taiwan," he said.

The latest diplomatic score put back to 27 the number of countries recognizing Taiwan.

The number was briefly reduced to 26 after Liberia switched diplomatic ties to China last month.

Taiwan and China have been governed separately since a split in 1949 after a civil war, but Beijing regards the island as part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary.

SPACE.WIRE