China has lodged a protest with Switzerland's government over a senior politician's meeting with Taiwanese leaders while on a private trip to Taipei in August, the Swiss foreign ministry said on Sunday.
China slammed as "incomprehensible" the visit by Bruno Frick, the speaker of the Council of States, the upper house of the Swiss parliament, in a statement issued by its embassy in the Swiss capital Bern.
During his stay, Frick met with Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian as well as other leaders.
The Taipei Times also reported that Frick, a member of the center-right Christian Democratic Party, said he supported Taiwan's campaign to gain observer status in the World Health Organisation (WHO).
China, which is already a WHO member, opposed the request on the basis it sees Taiwan as part of China's territory awaiting eventual reunification.