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China has been angered by stepped up support for the democratic
island by outgoing U.S. President Donald Trump's administration,
including new arms sales and visits to Taipei by senior U.S.
officials, which have strained already poor Beijing-Washington
ties.
The U.S. State Department said Assistant Secretary of State for
Political-Military Affairs Clarke Cooper would deliver "virtual
remarks" at the Taiwan political and military dialogue from the
State Department late on Wednesday, though gave no other
details.
Speaking in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua
Chunying said it would make a "necessary response based on how
the situation develops" and was "resolutely opposed" to the
talks.
China urges the United States to "immediately stop any form of
official exchanges and military links with Taiwan, to avoid
further damaging stability in the Taiwan Strait and Sino-U.S.
relations", she added.
Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said it would not give details of the
talks, citing "Taiwan-U.S. mutual trust and a tacit diplomatic
understanding".
"The two sides often maintain close and smooth communication on
various issues of common concern, so as to continue to deepen
cooperation at all levels of politics, economics, and security,"
said spokeswoman Joanne Ou.
Cooper met Taiwan's top diplomat in Washington, Hsiao Bi-khim,
in August, saying it was a pleasure to talk with her "as we work
together for regional peace and stability".
Democratic Taiwan, claimed by China as its sovereign territory,
has come under increasing pressure from Beijing, which has
ramped up military activity near the island.
(Reporting by Gabriel Crossley and Ben Blanchard; Editing by Kim
Coghill)
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