Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen. Photo: EPA-EFE

“We have said there is no reason for Beijing to turn this transit into something that is used as a pretext to overreact,” Jean-Pierre said at a press briefing on Wednesday, adding that’s been part of a long US tradition. 

Earlier, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning voiced China’s strong protest against the US arranging for Tsai to meet with House Speaker McCarthy, the third highest-ranking US official. China will closely monitor the situation and resolutely safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, Mao said.