China has blamed Taiwan for causing tensions over the Taiwan Strait.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on Monday referred to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's speech earlier in the day.

Mao said the root cause of the current tensions lies in the Democratic Progressive Party authorities' stubborn insistence on Taiwan independence.

She accused Taiwan's ruling party of colluding with external forces, repeating provocations for independence, and severely damaging the important foundation of peaceful development of cross-strait relations.