China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi has referred to the United States as the "biggest destabilizing factor in the world."

Wang made the remarks during a meeting with Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday. The visit was part of his tour of Southeast Asia.

China's foreign ministry said Wang told Lee that the US "connives at and supports Taiwan independence forces in soliciting US support for independence," and that "crosses China's red line."

It said Wang went on to say that the US "coerces other countries to engage in unilateral protectionism against China."

He reportedly added that such "retrogressive acts will only damage its own credibility and prove to the world that the US has become the biggest destabilizing factor in the world."

The comments come as the US increases its involvement in Taiwan and toughens restrictions on exports to China of some advanced semiconductors and other technologies.

Lee is said to have expressed his intention of promoting cooperation with China. He reportedly said that the world today is not peaceful and that Singapore expects major countries to play a leading role, seeking mutual benefit and win-win results.