Beijing, China - China on Thursday vowed to "resolutely crush" any attempts for Taiwan independence, as the self-ruled island's President Lai Ching-te is set to embark on an overseas trip.

Beijing claims Taiwan as its own territory and balks at any official contact Taipei has with other countries, especially the US.

Responding to a question on whether China's military would take countermeasures against Lai's Pacific tour, Wu Qian said: "We firmly oppose official interaction with China's Taiwan region in any form."

"The Chinese (military) shoulders the sacred mission of safeguarding national sovereignty... and will resolutely crush all secessionist attempts for Taiwan independence," Wu, a spokesperson for China's defense ministry, told a press conference.

China China releases three "wrongfully detained" Americans in US prisoner swap

Taiwan's Lai will stop over in Hawaii and the US territory of Guam during a trip to three Pacific island nations, Taiwan's Presidential Office said, in his first overseas trip since taking office in May.

Lai will depart Saturday for a visit to the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau – the only Pacific islands among Taiwan's 12 remaining allies.

Beijing opposes international support that gives a sense of legitimacy to Taiwan and has blocked Taipei from many global forums, whittling down its diplomatic allies.

It has refused to rule out the use of force to seize Taiwan and has recently ramped up military activity around the island in response to increased US backing of Taipei.