China ends talks with US on range of issues after Pelosi visits Taiwan

China has halted ties with US on a range of issues including talks concerning climate change and military dialogue following Nancy Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan.

In a statement, China announced it was suspending or cancelling eight so-called “countermeasures” with the US including cooperation on the repatriation of illegal immigrants and meetings between Chinese and American military and navy officials.

China has also announced sanctions on US House of Representative speaker, Nancy Pelosi and her family after the trip, which the Chinese government labelled as “vicious and provocative”.

This comes after Ms Pelosi became the highest ranked American official to visit the state in 25 years, sparking China to hold military drills in the areas around the self-governed island.

During her trip, Ms Pelosi insisted the US will continue to engage with Taiwan over Beijing, while adding: “We will not allow them to isolate Taiwan.”

According to Taiwan’s defence ministry, a total of 68 Chinese military aircraft and 13 navy ships were conducting live-fire drills in the region.

Taiwan was forced to scramble fighter jets after 49 Chinese aircraft crossed its air defence zone on Friday.

"There is no justification for this extreme, disproportionate and escalatory military response," Blinken told a news conference on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum in Cambodia. He added, "now, they’ve taken dangerous acts to a new level".

Up to 11 ballistic missiles were also fired over and near Taiwan on Thursday, while Japan’s prime minister, Yoshihide Suga called for an immediate halt to exercises after some missiles landed within the country’s exclusive economic zone.

"Despite China’s serious concerns and firm opposition, Pelosi insisted on visiting Taiwan, seriously interfering in China’s internal affairs, undermining China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, trampling on the one-China policy, and threatening the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait," a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said in a statement.

Taiwan has been self-ruled since 1949, when Mao Zedong’s communists took power in Beijing.

Beijing has since said its relations with Taiwan are an internal matter. It says it reserves the right to bring Taiwan under Chinese control, by force if necessary.