China has issued a horrifying three-word warning to the Unites States amid rising tensions with Taiwan, prompting fears of an all-out conflict.
The US provides millions in military aid to Taiwan, which China sees as its rightful territory.
Washington acknowledges but does not endorse China’s claims over Taiwan, and remains the island’s biggest arms provider.
Most recently, President Joe Biden authorised £456 million in military aid to Taiwan and the Department of Defence sold £236 million in arms to it.
This prompted a strongly-worded response from China, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs warning the US that it’s “playing with fire”.
The Chinese ministry added that the new aid package, which it “deplores and firmly opposes”, “will get the US burned”.
It’s been estimated that the package consists of 300 tactical radio systems, costing £212 million, and 16 gun mounts, costing £24 million.
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the approval of the two sales, saying in a post on X that it reaffirmed the US government’s “commitment to our defence”.
Taiwan is “the first red line that cannot be crossed in China-US relations”, the ministry said as it affirmed China “will take all measures necessary to firmly defend national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity”.
The US State Department says it has a “robust unofficial relationship” with Taiwan, which is democratically autonomous from China, despite Beijing’s claims of sovereignty over it.
The 100-mile Taiwan Strait separating the two territories is often the site of Chinese military exercises and war games, which often escalate tensions.
The statement from China called on the US and Taiwan to “stop the dangerous moves that undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait”.
President-elect Donald Trump has said he would not commit to defending Taiwan if China were to invade during his presidency.
Trump has also said that Taiwan should pay the US to defend it against China, likening the relationship to insurance. Taiwan spends about 2.5% of its GDP on defence.
