Beijing has accused Washington of escalating tensions over Taiwan after a US warship sailed to the island, Reuters reports.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said the US ships involved in the provocations were sending a seriously wrong message to Taiwan's forces, threatening peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. 

The US Navy regularly conducts so-called regular transits through the Taiwan Strait.

Washington expressed concern about China's intimidation practices in the region, including Taiwan, reiterating that US commitment to Taiwan is solid as a rock. China believes the United States is colluding with Taiwan to challenge Beijing.