Beijing again slams US move on Taiwan relations

China's Foreign Ministry on Monday slammed the latest move on Taiwan by the departing Trump administration, vowing that they will not allow "any individuals or forces to block China's reunification process".

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Saturday that the State Department is voiding longstanding restrictions on how US diplomats and others have contact with their counterparts in Taiwan, another move that is expected to upset China as the Trump administration winds to an end.

At a daily news conference, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian expressed China's long-standing opposition to the Taiwan Relations Act that is "unilaterally" adopted by the US, and urged Pompeo not to go further down the "wrong and dangerous path".

"Otherwise he will be severely punished by history", Zhao added.

The Trump administration has sought to strengthen bilateral relations with Taiwan.

It announced Thursday that UN Ambassador Kelly Craft would go to Taiwan, a move that sparked sharp criticism from Beijing and a warning that the US would pay a heavy price.

In August, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar became the first Cabinet member to visit Taiwan since 2014.

Pompeo said that the State Department has created complex restrictions when it comes to contacts between the two parties.

He said those actions were taken to appease the Communist regime in Beijing.

The Chinese government maintains that mainland China and Taiwan are parts of "One China".

China has been stepping up its threats to bring the self-governing island under its control by military force with frequent war games and aerial patrols.

It has been using its diplomatic clout to stop Taiwan from joining any organisations that require statehood for membership.

(Image Credit: AP)