Beijing on Friday criticised former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's call for the US to diplomatically recognise Taiwan as "a free and sovereign country" during a recent visit to the island. "This kind of person's wild ravings and nonsense will never prevail," China's foreign ministry spokesperson tells reporters. The spokesperson also says China is verifying the situation of the four Chinese students reportedly killed in Ukraine and hopes Russia and Ukraine will 'take all necessary measures' to provide security for Chinese citizens’ evacuation. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES