The official also reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to supporting the self-ruled island’s defence capability.

“We find that comment unfortunate and certainly not commensurate with our intentions to meet our obligations under the Taiwan Relations Act and to continue to, as Secretary [Antony] Blinken at the State Department said yesterday, look for ways where we can cooperate with China, but we have obligations that we intend to meet,” Pentagon press secretary John Kirby was quoted as saying by South China Morning Post.

China recently warned Taiwan that its attempt to seek independence "means war".

The warning comes days after China stepped up its military activities and flew warplanes near the island, reports BBC.

Interestingly, Taiwan sees itself as an independent nation.

However, China considers it as a breakaway region.