The US warned Beijing on Friday against trying to coerce Taiwan after China’s new aircraft carrier sailed through the Taiwan Strait in a show of strength that came two weeks before the island’s elections. Taiwan’s defence ministry said on Thursday that the Shandong and accompanying frigates had sailed northwards though the Taiwan Strait . The deteriorating relations between the mainland and the self-ruled island – which Beijing regards as part of its territory – have been a key issue in the campaign for the January 11 presidential and legislative elections. On Friday the US State Department called on China to “abstain from coercion that would jeopardise the security, or the social or economic system, of the people [in] Taiwan”. It said: “The United States has a deep and abiding interest in cross-strait peace and stability. Taiwan is a reliable partner, a democratic role model, and a force for good in the world. “We encourage authorities in Beijing and Taipei to engage in constructive dialogue that seeks a peaceful resolution of differences acceptable to the people of both sides of the Taiwan Strait.” Beijing more confident than ever of Taiwan reunification, says official Cross-strait tensions have heightened under the independence-leaning President Tsai Ing-wen as Beijing ramps up its pressure against Taiwan by encircling its space in the international arena. Last month Shandong also sailed through the sensitive waters to conduct “scientific trials and routine training” in the South China Sea, before it was officially commissioned into service. Taiwan’s foreign minister Joseph Wu tweeted on Thursday that the defence ministry had monitored the Chinese carrier’s passage “every step of the way” on its most recent passage. “Military threats like this only toughen Taiwan’s determination to defend itself and preserve region peace and stability,” he wrote. The intensifying strategic rivalry between Beijing and Washington has also resulted in the US strengthening relations with Taiwan, including the passage of legislation to allow more high-level exchanges. The US does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but has conducted its own “freedom of navigation” operations in the strategically sensitive regional and stepped up arms sales to the island. Earlier this month David Stilwell, assistant secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs warned Beijing not to interfere in Taiwan’s internal affairs. He said tensions “should not” have been rising before the election, adding: “the concern always exists for meddling – interfering – in [Taiwan’s] internal affairs”.