A
high-level US envoy’s visit to Taiwan has drawn the ire of China, which said Thursday that such visits will encourage “separatist forces” on the island.

Foreign Ministry
spokesperson Wang Wenbin said that “China strongly opposes” the visit by Under
Secretary Keith Krach, saying it will “encourage arrogant attitude of Taiwan
independence separatist forces”, AFP reported. 

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The US
State Department said that Krach was sent to attend a memorial service for late
president Lee Teng-hui, who is known as the island’s “father of democracy”  on Saturday.

Krach becomes the highest-ranking State
Department official to visit the island in 40 years.

The visit
comes as relations between the two nations are at their lowest in decades, clashing
over a range of trade, military, and security issues, apart from the
coronavirus pandemic.

The US’ increased
outreach to Taiwan under President Donald Trump has become yet another point of
issue between the two superpowers.

Also Read: China warns United States against ‘dangerous moves’ on Taiwan: Xinhua

“The United
States honours President Lee’s legacy by continuing our strong bonds with
Taiwan and its vibrant democracy through shared political and economic values,”
spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said while announcing Krach’s visit.

While
asserting that Taiwan is an indivisible part of the Chinese mainland, Wang said
that Krach’s visit “seriously violates the One China Principle, and damages
US-China relations and the peace and stability of the Taiwan strait.”

He also
warned that Beijing will provide a “necessary response”.

Also Read: China warns US against ‘playing with fire’ over Taiwan visit

Last month,
US cabinet member and health chief Alex Azar visited to highlight Taiwan’s highly
praised efforts to contain COVID-19.