Taiwan military contacts slammed

Beijing firmly objects to any form of official or military contacts between the United States and Taiwan, an official said on Wednesday, after a US Navy research vessel docked at Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan on Monday.

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

The Taiwan question concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as the country's core interests, he said. "We urge relevant parties to exercise caution so as not to cause damage to the peace and stability across the Straits."