Beijing ? China expressed “strong indignation and resolute opposition” to growing U.S.-Taiwan military contacts, summoning the American ambassador Saturday to demand Washington reverse course on ties with the island.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing told U.S. Ambassador Clark T. Randt it is “crucial to observe the attitude of the U.S. side,” China Central Television reported in its main evening news broadcast.

“We hope the United States makes a clear and decisive decision,” it quoted Li as saying.

The statement was the latest in a series of protests underscoring China’s unease over what it perceives as strengthened U.S. support for Taiwan, a self-governing island Beijing claims as an indivisible part of Chinese territory.

“The Chinese government and people express their strong indignation and resolute opposition to acts that interfere in China’s internal affairs and undermine China-U.S. relations,” Li said.

Li criticized the United States for permitting Taiwan’s defense minister, Tang Yiau-ming, to attend a private defense convention this month in St. Petersburg, Fla. Â the first time a Taiwanese defense minister has visited the United States since Washington cut ties with Taiwan in 1979 in order to recognize Beijing.

Further enraging China, Tang discussed Taiwan’s defense needs in private meetings on the conference’s sidelines with Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz and Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly.

Li also castigated Washington for granting a visa to former Taiwanese president Lee Teng-hui, reviled by the Chinese government for his efforts to cement Taiwan’s independent identity.