China warned against continued US-Taiwan cooperation today i.e. on Wednesday, responding to reports that the US military was sending officers to help train Taiwan’s counterparts and that a delegation of defence contractors would visit the self-ruled island next week.

China opposes US-Taiwan cooperation

Speaking at a weekly press briefing in Beijing, a spokeswoman for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, Zhu Fenglian said, “We resolutely oppose the US having any form of official or military contact with China’s Taiwan region.”

After a civil war in 1949, Taiwan and China split. Taiwan never has been part of the People’s Republic of China, however, the Communist Party says it is obliged to unite with the mainland, by force if necessary.

President Xi Jinping-led government has flown fighter jets and bombers near Taiwan in increasing numbers and fired missiles into the sea in an attempt to intimidate the island.

US personnel helping to train Taiwan troops

According to the media reports, the US had sent 200 military personnel, mostly Marines, to help train Taiwan troops. Taiwan’s Defense Ministry has neither denied nor confirmed the report.

Whilst, a delegation of around 25 defence contractors is visiting the island next week, hosted by the US-Taiwan Business Council. The media reports also said that the weapons manufacturers will discuss joint production of drones and ammunition in Taiwan.

“US defence contractors intentionally provoke confrontation between the two sides, taking the opportunity to make a profit,” Zhu said.

Moreover, she accused the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, which has been in power for six years, of colluding with the US to press for the island’s formal independence.

The US doesn’t formally recognize the Taiwan government but is Taipei’s most vital provider of weapons and other security assistance as well as political support.

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China’s aggression is a response to US-Taiwan military bonds

China has turned up the heat by sending fighter jets and navy vessels near the island on a near daily basis, especially in response to political meetings between the US and Taiwan.

Earlier this month, China held large-scale military exercises simulating a strike on key targets in Taiwan in response to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen’s meeting with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.