Chinese Foreign Minister: US to Pay Heavy Price Because of Taiwan

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Thursday that the United States of America (USA) will pay a "heavy price" for its actions regarding Taiwan.

By encouraging Taiwan's independence forces not only does the United States put Taiwan in an extremely dangerous situation, but also exposes the United States to pay a heavy price, Wang said.

The Chinese minister noted that "Taiwan has no other way than to return to reunification with the mainland."

China regards Taiwan as part of its territory and, in the past two years, has escalated political and diplomatic pressure to assert its sovereignty over it, sparking anger in Taiwan and concern in the United States.

Taiwan has emerged as a major factor in strained relations between China and the United States, the island's most important international backer and arms supplier despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations.

Taiwan says it is an independent country and vows to defend its freedom and democracy.

China describes the island as the most sensitive issue in its relations with the United States.

A Chinese official warned that Beijing would take "strict measures" if Taiwan moved toward independence, the coming year could see an increase in outside interference and provocative actions by it.

"China is ready to make all efforts for peaceful reunification with Taiwan.

But China will act if any red lines regarding the island's independence are crossed," Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesman for China's Taiwan Affairs Office, told a news briefing.

"If the separatist forces in Taiwan seeking independence take any provocative action, resort to force, or cross any red line, we will be forced to take strict measures," he said.