China said it conducted military drills surrounding Taiwan on Friday as a US congressional delegation paid a visit to the island to offer solidarity for a fellow democracy, accusing the legislators of inflaming tensions with their “provocative” visit.

The People’s Liberation Army Eastern Theatre Command stated in a statement released as lawmakers held a news conference in Taipei that China’s military has sent frigates, bombers, and fighter jets to the East China Sea and the area around Taiwan.

“This action is in response to the United States’ recent repeated release of incorrect signals on the Taiwan issue,” it stated, without specifying the US delegation that was there.

“The U.S. bad actions and tricks are completely futile and very dangerous. Those who play with fire will burn themselves,” it said.

In a second statement, China’s Defense Ministry said that the US visit was “deliberately provocative” and had “led to further escalation of tension in the Taiwan Strait.”

Taiwan is a point of contention between Beijing and Washington on a regular basis.

During the delegation’s meeting with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham reminded her that the war in Ukraine and China’s provocative behaviour have united American opinion in a way that has never been seen before.

“It would be a betrayal of democracy and freedom to forsake Taiwan,” he remarked. “There’s a global pushback against thuggery – against the evil ones.”

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