US Vice President Kamala Harris has blasted China and pledged continued support for Taiwan's self-defense. During a speech at a US Naval base near Tokyo, she said Beijing was undermining rules-based order in the region.

Harris made the remarks in an address to US sailors.
She accused China of using US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan as a pretext for military exercises that she described as an unprecedented show of force.
She said China has challenged the freedom of the seas and flexed its military and economic might to coerce and intimidate its neighbors.

Harris also said Washington anticipates further aggressive behavior from Beijing as it attempts to unilaterally undermine the status quo. But she made it clear the US would not be deterred.

The vice president stressed that the United States does not seek conflict with China or a Cold War. She said her country will work with every willing nation to solve global challenges.

China reacted sharply. Foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters on Wednesday that the United States needed to return to the "One-China" policy and unequivocally make clear that it opposes all Taiwan separatist activities.