China has issued a warning against attempts to "split" its territory as it prepares to stage live-fire drills in the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday.

The manoeuvres are being seen by observers as a clear message of disapproval against growing support for the self-ruled island from the United States.

The drills, which are the first to be carried out in the sensitive waters since the 2015 election in Taiwan, are also being viewed as a warning against what Beijing sees as growing moves towards independence from the Taipei Government.

Liu Jieyi, the head of the Beijing-based Taiwan Affairs Bureau said the drills are being carried out to "safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the motherland".

He added: "(The mainland) has enough willingness, confidence and determination to prevent any words or deeds which attempt to split any territory away from the motherland."