TAIWAN, 29 January, 2021 (TON): In a statement, China has warned Taiwan attempting to seek independence from Beijing “means war”.

The warning came days after when Beijing increased military activities and sent warplanes near the island.

It comes amid U.S. and Taiwan’s close ties that welcomed new administration last week.

In a statement on Thursday, the US reaffirmed Washington's commitment to supporting Taiwan's defense capability.

Taiwan sees itself as a sovereign state, however, China sees democratic Taiwan as a breakaway province.

"We are seriously telling those Taiwan independence forces, those who play with fire will burn themselves, and Taiwan independence means war," Chinese defense 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".

On Thursday, U.S. responded, "We find that comment unfortunate and certainly not commensurate with our intentions to meet our obligations under the Taiwan Relations Act," Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told reporters, in the first statement by the new administration on China-Taiwan relations.

The Pentagon "sees no reason why tensions over Taiwan need to lead to anything like confrontation", he added

Pressure on China is maintained by the new U.S. administration, over the issues including human rights, trade disputes, Hong Kong and Taiwan, amid the deteriorating relationship between the two powers.

They almost always emphasize that theirs is a peace-loving country, said China’s official spokesperson, avoiding discussing war.

China does not hold the history of military confrontation except of its borders, but the modern day Taiwan is the result of civil war.

Taiwan's status serves as a red line for Beijing, a part of what it regards as its unimpeachable territorial integrity.

It is an "internal affair", alongside Hong Kong.

China and Taiwan have had separate governments since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949. Beijing has long tried to limit Taiwan's international activities and both have vied for influence in the Pacific region.

In recent years, tensions have increased and Beijing has not ruled out the use of force to take the island back.

The democratic government of Taiwan has strong commercial and informal links with many countries that recognize it.

U.S. has no official diplomatic relations with many nations like Taipei, bu its relations with Taiwan, as in Taiwan Relations Act states that the U.S. will facilitate the region with defense weapons, and any harm or attack to Taiwan would be of much concern and consideration to the U.S.