Chinese Ministry of National Defense on Friday hit back at the U.S. accusations of China destabilizing the Taiwan region with intense military activities, urging the U.S. to take concrete measures to safeguard China-U.S. military ties and regional peace and stability.

Tan Kefei, spokesperson for the ministry, made the remarks at a press briefing after Pentagon spokesman John Kirby criticized China for stepping up efforts to "intimidate and pressure Taiwan and other allies and partners, including increasing military activities in the vicinity of Taiwan, the East China Sea, and the South China Sea."

The U.S. has engaged in a slew of provocative actions recently, which have seriously damaged the relations between the two militaries and severely undermined the peace and stability of the Taiwan Straits, according to Tan. 

"The United States should stop supporting 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces and take concrete actions to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits," said Tan.

While the spokesperson also stressed the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) will maintain a high state of readiness to fight at all times and resolutely defeat all external interference and "Taiwan independence" secessionist acts.

(Cover: File photo of Tan Kefei, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense. /Chinese Ministry of National Defense)