US official's visit to Taiwan angers China

During her visit on Monday, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator Gina McCarthy met with Taiwan’s President Ma Ying-jeou. The visit was the first by a cabinet-level official since 2000, according to Taiwan's presidential office.
 
China's foreign ministry condemned the US move, saying it was "resolutely opposed" to it, Reuters reports. Beijing considers Taiwan a rebel province.
 
"No matter what goal the US EPA administrator has in visiting Taiwan, she has violated ... the promises made by the United States to China on the Taiwan issue," spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a daily news briefing.
 
"China expresses resolute opposition and strong dissatisfaction with this, and we have launched serious representations to the U.S. side. We urge the U.S. to prudently and appropriately deal with the issue in an effort to avoid doing further damage to the U.S.-China relationship,” Hua said.
 
In 1979, the US broke official diplomatic ties with Taiwan after it extended recognition to the Chinese government in Beijing. But the two have since maintained unofficial relations.
 
It was the second protest by Beijing this month against American policies on Taiwan. Earlier this month, the US House of Representatives agreed to authorize the sale of four second-hand US warships to Taiwan, sparking protests again from Chinese officials.