US senator lands in Taiwan for fourth political visit this month

US Senator Marsha Blackburn landed in Taiwan, the fourth visit by an American politician this month and a move bound to rile Beijing, which has staged huge military drills to protest such trips.

Tensions between China and the United States have soared to their highest level in decades since House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit triggered Beijing's unprecedented show of force around the island earlier this month.

Blackburn, a Republican from Tennessee, landed at Taipei's Songshan airport in a small US government plane for what Taiwan's foreign ministry said was a solo visit.

"I just landed in Taiwan to send a message to Beijing -- we will not be bullied," she tweeted.

"The United States remains steadfast in preserving freedom around the globe, and will not tolerate efforts to undermine our nation and our allies."

In a separate statement, Blackburn said she was looking forward to "meeting with leaders in Taipei to advance and strengthen our partnerships".

Taiwan's ministry of foreign affairs said it was "grateful that US congress people have once again demonstrated their firm support and commitment to Taiwan by visiting" at a time "when China continues to heighten its threat".

Beijing claims the self-ruled democratic island as part of its own territory and has vowed to seize it one day -- by force if necessary.

It lashes out at any diplomatic action that might lend Taiwan legitimacy and has responded with growing anger to visits by Western officials and politicians.