Beijing protests US-Taiwan interaction

Beijing firmly opposes any form of official or military contact between the United States and Taiwan, a Chinese mainland official said on Wednesday in response to two US warships passing through the Taiwan Straits last week.

"Our position is always consistent and clear," Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said at a news conference in Beijing.

"The Taiwan question concerns China's sovereignty and national solidarity," he said. "I must stress once again that those who rely on foreign forces to build themselves up and undermine the peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits will certainly pay a price for their deeds."