In this Jan 17, 2018 photo, Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of State Council, holds a press conference in Beijing. (CHEN YUHUA / XINHUA)

BEIJING - The Chinese mainland resolutely opposes official contacts and military links in any form between the United States and Taiwan, a spokesperson said Wednesday.

READ MORE: Mainland protests against 'Taiwan independence'

Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks at a press conference in response to news that a US Navy research vessel had docked at the Port of Kaohsiung in Taiwan to refuel and make crew changes.

The spokesperson also warned the parties concerned to be discreet in deed and avoid undermining peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, while commenting on reports saying the US Navy had planned to send warships to the South China Sea and the Taiwan Straits in November.

"The Taiwan issue bears on China's sovereignty, territorial integrity and core interests, and we have firmly resolved to safeguard state sovereignty and territorial integrity," Ma said. 

ALSO READ: Mainland spokesman: Any separatist attempt doomed to fail