BEIJING : China's Ministry of National Defence urged the United States "not to play with fire" and stop risky provocations in response to reports of the US landing a military transport plane in Taiwan on Thursday (July 15).

Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a ministry spokesman, said in a statement on Thursday that the island is a sacred and inseparable part of Chinese territory, and the Chinese military was closely monitoring the situation.

Any foreign military plane landing on Chinese territory must receive approval from the government of the People's Republic of China, Wu said.

"Any violation of our airspace by foreign ships and planes will lead to serious consequences," he said.

"We urge the US side not to play with fire, immediately stop these risky provocations, stop sending the wrong signals to Taiwan separatist forces and avoid escalating tension in the Taiwan Straits.

Wu warned the island's ruling Democratic Progressive Party not to misjudge the situation and invite trouble by taking risks and colluding with foreign forces for its secessionist agenda.

"This will only push Taiwan into a perilous situation," he said. "China must and will inevitably be united."

"Nobody should underestimate the Chinese people's adamant determination, unshakable will and formidable capability in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said.

"The People's Liberation Army will remain on high alert and take whatever actions necessary to crush any Taiwan secession agenda."

Separately, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council expressed strong opposition against military contacts of any form between Taiwan and the US.

"We urge the United States to abide by the provisions of the three China-US joint communiques when handling issues related to Taiwan and stop provocation," spokesperson Zhu Fenglian said.

The DPP authority will bring disaster to the people of Taiwan if it continues working with foreign forces to seek "Taiwan independence" and resist reunification, Zhu said.  

  - China Daily