China warns Taiwan independence ‘means war’
BEIJING - China has warned that attempts by Taiwan to seek independence “means war.”
The warning comes days after China stepped up its military activities and flew warplanes near the island.
It also comes after new US President Joe Biden reaffirmed his commitment to Taiwan, and set out his stance in Asia.
The US has called China’s latest warning “unfortunate,” adding that tensions did not need to lead to “anything like confrontation.”
China sees democratic Taiwan as a breakaway province, but Taiwan sees itself as an independent state.
“We are seriously telling those Taiwan independence forces: those who play with fire will burn themselves, and Taiwan independence means war,” Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Wu
Qian said at a press conference on Thursday.
He also defended China’s recent military activities, saying they were “necessary actions to address the current security situation in the Taiwan Strait and to safeguard national
sovereignty and security.”
The US responded later on Thursday.
“We find that comment unfortunate,” Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told reporters, in the first statement by the new administration on ChinaTaiwan relations.
Kirby added that the Pentagon “sees no reason why tensions over Taiwan need to lead to anything like confrontation.”
The new US administration is expected to maintain pressure on China over a wide range of issues including human rights, trade disputes, Hong Kong and Taiwan, amid the deteriorating relationship between the two powers.