China’s foreign ministry stated Monday that they had delivered “stern” messages to the United States regarding rumors that a Taiwanese group is in Washington for confidential negotiations.

Taiwan security director Joseph Wu and his delegation traveled to Washington on Saturday to meet with the Trump administration, according to a story in the Financial Times.

Beijing is increasing military exercises near the self-governing island, which it considers a renegade province, at the time of their visit.

At a conference in Beijing, Lin Jian, the spokeswoman for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that “China firmly opposes any form of official interactions between the U.S. and Taiwan.”

Despite not having formal connections with Taiwan, the United States is the most significant international supporter of the island democracy.
This means that in the event that Beijing threatens Taiwan—which has not ruled out using force to accomplish its aim of unification—America is legally obligated to give Taiwan defensive weaponry.

However, Lin has encouraged Trump’s administration to avoid escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait and stated that Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, whom Beijing views as a “separatist” and “troublemaker,” will not be successful in pursuing “independence” by depending on the US.