Drills aim to warn 'Taiwan independence' separatists

China said its recent drills surrounding the Taiwan island were aimed to warn "Taiwan independence" separatists and external forces supporting them while urging Washington to stop conniving with the separatists.

The drills carried out on Thursday and Friday "serve as a firm punishment over the provocation the Taiwan region's head made in his May 20 speech, as well as a stern warning to external forces conniving at and supporting 'Taiwan independence'," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Tuesday.

Mao made the remarks at a regular news conference after the U.S. Department of State's spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement the U.S. is "deeply concerned" over the drills.

The "inaugural speech" made by the Taiwan region's head on May 20 is "a total confession of 'Taiwan independence'", Mao said.

"'Taiwan independence' separatist moves and the support they get from the U.S.-led external forces form the most dangerous change to the status quo of the Taiwan Strait, as well as the greatest damage to peace across the Strait," the spokeswoman said.

Mao also said that by sending a delegation to the "inauguration" on May 20 despite China's opposition, having its secretary of state Antony Blinken issue a congratulatory statement on the "inauguration" and making groundless accusations on China's drills, the U.S. has made a series of mistakes.

The U.S. should have a clear understanding that "Taiwan independence" separatist forces pose serious harm and a huge risk to peace across the Strait and relations between China and the U.S., Mao said, calling on the U.S. to stop offering any kind of support to them.