Taiwan announced that the historic meeting will be the first time in four decades senior US and Taiwanese security officials have met. The country confirmed its national security chief David Lee met national security adviser John Bolton at the beginning of May. The island’s foreign affairs ministry advised that the meeting had been held in a statement.
But upon hearing of the discussions, foreign minister spokesman Lu Kang said “China is extremely dissatisfied and resolutely opposed to this”.
Kang added that Beijing would remain against any form of official exchange between the US and Taiwan.
Diplomatic ties between Beijing and Washington have become increasingly strained in recent weeks due to an escalating trade war, US support for Taiwan and mainland China’s muscular military posture in the South China Sea, where the United States also conducts freedom-of-navigation patrols.
Reports suggest that the meeting was held during Mr Lee’s visit to the US between May 13 and 21.
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A statement added: “During the trip, together with US government officials, secretary general Lee met with representatives from our diplomatic allies, reiterating support and commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region.”
Tensions between China and the US has seen both bolster their military near the South China Sea.
The South China Sea is viewed the world’s most profitable piece of waterway in the world.
Numerous nations, including the Philippines, all claim to own the water.
Beijing has been ramping up military and diplomatic pressure to assert its sovereignty over the island, conducting drills near Taiwan and snatching its few remaining diplomatic allies.
Earlier in May, the US House of Representatives backed legislation supporting Taiwan.
The members of the US Congress wanted to push for a sharper approach to relations with Beijing.
The Pentagon says Washington has sold Taipei more than US$15 billion in arms since 2010.