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US politicians in Taipei
Photo: Johnson Lai/AP
Barely two weeks after US top politician Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, other members of Congress from Washington have arrived in Taipei - triggering new tensions with Beijing.
The Chinese side spoke of another "provocation" and announced new maneuvers around the democratic island republic in order to increase the pressure on Taiwan and the USA.
Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian saw a "blank violation" of the China-US agreements and a violation of Chinese sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The visit sends a "wrong signal to the independence forces" in Taiwan.
Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen received the five congressmen led by Democratic Senator Ed Markey at the presidential palace on Monday, local media reported.
Beijing wants to prepare "for a war".
In response, the People's Liberation Army Eastern Command will hold more air and sea drills around Taiwan to deter the US and Taiwan, spokesman Wu Qian said.
China's military will continue to "prepare for war," vigorously defending China's sovereignty and resolutely crushing any form of "separatism" in Taiwan and attempts at foreign interference.
China had already held large-scale military exercises in response to Pelosi's visit to Taiwan.
A sea and air blockade of Taiwan and a possible conquest were practiced.
Chinese fighter jets also regularly crossed the median line in the middle of the Taiwan Strait.
Even on Monday, 15 People's Liberation Army fighter jets crossed the median line, Taiwan's defense ministry said.
The Chinese leadership rejects official contacts from other countries to Taiwan because they see the island as part of the People's Republic.
Taiwan sees itself as independent.
US officials' stop in Taiwan comes as part of a larger tour of the Indo-Pacific region.
Taiwan is said to be about relations with the United States, regional security, trade, global supply chains and climate change, according to the US side.
col/dpa