Blinken reiterates US concerns over Taiwan to Chinese counterpart

Wang Yi says Beijing would counter provocations by forces advocating Taiwan's independence

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated Washington's concerns over Beijing's actions towards Taiwan and its support for Russia's war in Ukraine, as he met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on July 27.

Mr Blinken, who earlier called out China for escalating maritime tensions with the Philippines, talked extensively with Mr Wang about Taiwan and Beijing's recent "provocative" actions towards the island, a senior US State Department official said.

Those actions included a simulated blockade during the inauguration of Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, the official said.

Mr Blinken and Mr Wang agreed to keep making progress on military-to-military ties, but did not discuss nuclear arms control talks, which China has halted in protest over Washington providing arms to Taiwan, the official said.

"In every discussion, Taiwan is the issue that they care most about. They see it as... an internal China issue," said the official, who briefed reporters travelling with Mr Blinken.