Two Chinese golf stars have reportedly been ordered to pull out of a prestigious tournament in Taiwan this week amid political tensions between Beijing and Taipei.

According to Reuters, world number nine Shanshan Feng and rookie Yu Liu were told at the last minute by someone “high up” in the Chinese hierarchy that they should skip the Swinging Skirts LGPA Taiwan Championship, which starts in Taipei on Thursday.

China claims Taiwan - a democratic island of 23 million with its own government, currency and military – as its own territory, and ties have deteriorated since 2016, when President Tsai Ing-wen, of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party came to power.

On Tuesday, Beijing expressed deep concern to the US after Washington sent two warships through the Taiwan Strait, in the second such operation this year. The US called the passage through the strategic waterway “routine”, to demonstrate America’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

But China will also have been irked by a pro-independence demonstration in Taipei at the weekend, which drew thousands of supporters to the streets, some carrying placards that denounced Chinese attempts at “annexation.”

It is unclear who told Ms Feng and Ms Yu, who until Monday had been confirmed for the event as the only two Chinese golfers, that they should no longer attend. It is highly unusual for players to withdraw at such a late stage unless they have been injured.