China's ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian has blamed the United States for escalating tensions in Taiwan Strait as his nation conducts live-fire drills near Taiwan after a visit from US house speaker Nancy Pelosi.<br /><br />"It is the US side that should and must take full responsibility for the escalation of tensions in the Taiwan Strait. China is compelled to take counter-measures to safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity which is legitimate and justified," he said.
