China on Monday vowed to defend its sovereignty and warned against “external interference" after the US released its new security strategy aimed at building up military power to prevent conflict with Beijing over Taiwan.

“The US side should … handle the Taiwan question with the utmost prudence, and stop indulging and supporting ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces in seeking independence by force or resisting reunification by force," Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, told reporters.

This came in response to the US releasing the National Security Strategy document last week. “Deterring a conflict over Taiwan, ideally by preserving military overmatch, is a priority," it said.

China claims Taiwan to be part of its territory and has again and again emphasised i

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