CHINA TO U.S. HANDS OFF IN TAIWAN AFFAIR.

Byline: Patricia Kuo Associated Press 

Even as the U.S. Seventh Fleet prepared to sail toward Taiwan, the Chinese foreign minister warned the United States not to intervene in its sovereignty dispute with the island.

"Taiwan is a part of China and not a protectorate of the United States," Qian Qichen said in a news conference held today in conjunction with the annual session of the national legislature.

U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher announced Sunday that a battle group led by the aircraft carrier Independence would be moved "somewhat closer" to Taiwan in the "coming days" to be "in a position to be helpful if they need to be."

China on Friday began a week of missile tests in waters near Taiwan's main ports, and on Tuesday will start eight days of live-fire military exercises in a location between the mainland and the island. The communist giant hopes to intimidate Taiwanese in the run-up to their first, direct presidential elections.

"It is ridiculous for some people in the United States to call openly for interference on the Taiwan issue by the Seventh Fleet or even for protecting Taiwan," Qian said.

In Washington, Christopher called China's attempts to intimidate Taiwan "reckless."

"I think they've been risky, and . . . smack of intimidation and coercion," he said, speaking Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press."

He did not elaborate on how the U.S. would respond if China were to attack Taiwan, and did not specify how close to Taiwan the battle group would sail.