China conducted military exercises outside Taiwan on Friday, as a team of US congressmen arrived for a visit Beijing described as "deliberately provocative."

Chinese military officials said they sent destroyers, frigates, bombers, and fighter jets to conduct maneuvers "in the East China Sea and the waters and airspace surrounding Taiwan."

"The US side's misbehavior and tricks are extremely dangerous and will prove fruitless; playing with fire will only result in self-burning," it added in a statement.

According to China's Defense Ministry, the maneuvers are "necessary action taken in light of the current security situation in the Taiwan Strait and the imperative to safeguard China's national sovereignty."

It stated that the "deliberate provocative action... gravely violates the One China principle and the terms of the three China-US joint communiques, seriously undermines the political foundation of China-US relations, and exacerbates tensions across the Taiwan Strait."

"It is extremely hypocritical and untrustworthy of the US to pledge not to support 'Taiwan independence' on the one hand while sending a serious wrong signal to 'Taiwan independence' secessionist forces on the other," ministry spokesman Sr. Col. Wu Qian said.

Separately, China's Foreign Ministry stated that Beijing "opposes official exchanges between the United States and the island of Taiwan in any form."

While China regards Taiwan as a "separate province," Taipei has fought for independence since 1949.

In 1979, the United States formally recognized China and transferred diplomatic relations from Taipei to Beijing, acknowledging Taiwan as part of mainland China.

The military drills around Taiwan are "a response to recent US actions, including congressional visits," Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told the state-run Global Times.

On Thursday, a six-member US Congressional delegation led by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham landed in Taiwan, defying Beijing's previous threats of "forceful measures" in reaction.

Graham warned China on Friday during a press conference that the US will keep "every option on the table" in the event of an attack on Taiwan, according to local news outlet Taiwan News.

"Abandoning Taiwan means succumbing to the rule of guns over the rule of law. We do not seek conflict with the Chinese Communist Party, but we will fight for our beliefs. "Make prudent choices," he was quoted as saying.

Apart from increased visits by US politicians and officials, Washington has stepped up its attempts to equip Taiwan, recently authorizing the third arms transaction under the Biden administration.