US says China trying to discourage states, businesses from engaging with Taiwan

(Reuters) - China has been contacting U.S. states and private firms to discourage engagement with Taiwan and mischaracterising U.S. policy, but links with ​Taiwan should be expanded, three U.S. government departments said in joint letters.

The U.S. ‌is Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, to the constant anger of Beijing, which claims the independently ruled island as its territory.

The two letters from U.S. Departments of ​State, Agriculture and Commerce, one addressed to governor's offices and one to CEOs and ​business leaders, are dated June 16 but were released by the de ⁠facto U.S. embassy in Taiwan late on Wednesday.

Similarly worded, the letters say that China's embassy ​and consulates regularly contact local government offices or private business in the U.S. to "discourage engagement with ​Taiwan".

"In doing so, they often mischaracterise U.S. policy by, for example, falsely claiming that Washington has previously accepted Beijing's specific position on Taiwan," both the letters say.

Should government offices or companies be contacted by Chinese officials "applying pressure ​on you", they should contact the State Department, the letters say.

Speaking in ​Beijing on Thursday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said China consistently and firmly opposes any form of ‌official interaction ⁠between the U.S. and Taiwan.

China urges the U.S. to handle the Taiwan issue with prudence, refrain from conducting official exchanges with Taiwan under any pretext, and avoid sending any wrong signals to separatist forces, he said.

The U.S. officially takes no position on Taiwan's sovereignty under Washington's "One ​China" policy.

Taiwan's government welcomed ​the letter and show ⁠of support from the U.S.

"Although Beijing continues to intensify its suppression of Taiwan and pressure international businesses, the U.S. government has clearly demonstrated its ​willingness to deepen cooperation with Taiwan," its foreign ministry said in ​a statement.

The ⁠letters say that Taiwan plays a key role in the global trade system and U.S. states and businesses have had robust ties with the island for many decades.

"Taiwan is a vital U.S. partner ⁠and ​democratic success story," the letter to the governors says. "We hope ​you will take advantage of all the opportunities that our shared values and robust relationship with Taiwan offer."