China's top diplomat warned the United States for making the wrong moves in supporting Taiwan that will result in a "dangerous" situation.
Beijing's top diplomat Yang Jiechi said in a phone conversation with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan that if Washington insists on "the Taiwan card", It "will certainly lead the situation to a dangerous point", as per a Bloomberg report.
According to a statement by China's Foreign Ministry, Yang noted that the US "should have a clear understanding of the situation" and it is certain that Beijing "will take firm action" to protect its "sovereignty and security interests".
The White House released a statement regarding the call between Sullivan and Yang on Wednesday, May 18, saying the two officials "focused on regional security issues and nonproliferation". They also tackled the Russia-Ukraine war and issues involving relations between Washington and Beijing.
On Wednesday, four People's Liberation Army planes, including two J-16 fighter jets, entered Taiwan's air defense identification zone, skirting near the Taiwan Strait's median line, according to Taiwan's Defense Ministry's website.
Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory, which must be retaken by force if needed.
However, President Tsai Ing-Wen of Taiwan has downplayed fears that Russia's invasion of Ukraine may trigger a similar crisis in Taiwan in the near future. One reason for this is because Beijing's leadership wants domestic security ahead of this year's twice-decade congress, which is expected to give Chinese President Xi Jinping a historic third term in office.
Quad To Counter China's Growing Power
More than 50 senators signed a letter on Wednesday urging President Joe Biden to include Taiwan in the proposed Indo-Pacific Economic Framework as part of Washington's efforts to counter China's rising influence in Asia.
Biden will meet with the leaders of Japan, India, and Australia in Tokyo later this week as part of his Asian trip.
These four countries form the Quad, a group aimed primarily at combating China's influence in the region per Reuters.
China views the Quad as an attempt to limit its economic growth and power, but Biden has moved to strengthen ties with other democracies in order to counter the emergence of authoritarian world power.
Japan Urges China To Promote International Peace, Security
Days ahead of the Tokyo summit, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi blasted such moves of the US and Japan against Bejing, per Taiwan News.
China's Foreign Ministry reported that Wang told Japanese Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi in a video call that "the so-called joint Japan-U.S. anti-China rhetoric is already kicking up dust," which "arouses attention and vigilance."
According to a statement, Wang noted that the Japan-US partnership should not lead to confrontation between camps or threaten China's sovereignty, security, or development interests.
Hayashi told Wang that China must take responsibility for safeguarding international peace and security, stressing that Russia's invasion of Ukraine is a blatant breach of international law. China has remained silent on the war.
Japan is concerned about rising Chinese coast guard and navy activities near Japanese-controlled East China Sea islands, which Beijing also claims, and is advocating a free and open Indo-Pacific alongside the US, Australia, and other democracies.
