BEIJING: China urged the United States on Friday (Nov 29) to exercise the "utmost caution" on relations with democratically governed Taiwan, ahead of a sensitive trip that its President Lai Ching-te starts this week to both Hawaii and Guam, as part of a Pacific tour.

China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, opposes any foreign interactions or visits by the island's leaders, especially those involving the United States.

A spokesperson for the US State Department reiterated the US position that transits by high-level Taiwan authorities were routine and "consistent with long-standing practice, the unofficial nature of our relations with Taiwan, and the US One-China policy, which remains unchanged".

"We see no justification for a private, routine and unofficial transit to be used as a pretext for provocation," the spokesperson added.

China is likely to launch military drills in the coming days near Taiwan, using Lai's trip to the Pacific and scheduled stopovers in the United States as a pretext, according to assessments by Taiwan and regional security officials.

Lai's weeklong trip begins on Saturday, making what is officially called a stopover first in Hawaii before going to the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau, three of the 12 countries which have formal ties with Taiwan.

He will also stop over in the US territory of Guam.

Mao Ning, a spokesperson for China's foreign ministry, reiterated comments made by President Xi Jinping to US President Joe Biden at an Asia-Pacific summit in Peru this month, in which he said "separatist acts" were incompatible with peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

"If the United States wants to maintain peace in the Taiwan Straits, it is crucial for it to recognise the independence nature of Lai Ching-te and the Democratic Progressive Party authorities," she said, referring to Taiwan's ruling party.

The United States must "handle the Taiwan issue with utmost caution, unequivocally oppose Taiwan independence, and support the peaceful reunification of China", Mao added at a daily news briefing in the Chinese capital.

China opposes any "scurrying to the United States" of Taiwan's leaders, in any form, or any US support for separatist activities, she said.

"China's determination to defend its national sovereignty ...