“China firmly opposes the launch of the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade. Chinese government opposed any form of official contact between Taiwan and other countries,” the ministry spokesman, Gao Feng, said.

He also urged the United States to prudently handle trade and economic ties with Taiwan to avoid sending a wrong message to Taiwan separatists.

On Wednesday, the United States Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said that Washington had launched a new trade pact with Taiwan, aiming to forge closer economic ties with the island territory.

“Taiwan is an incredibly important partner to us, especially as it relates to semiconductors. We look forward to continuing to deepen our economic ties with Taiwan, and we are in active conversations with Taiwan,” Raimondo said.

Although Taiwan has been governed independently since 1949, Beijing views the island as part of its territory. China has vowed to eventually “unify” Taiwan with the mainland, using force if necessary. (ILKHA)