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On Monday, China warned the United States not to play with fire over Taiwan. The warning message came after President Joe Biden’s administration weighed in on the issue. The spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Zhao Lijian said that China has noticed the joint statement from the US and South Korea. He added, “We noted the relevant content of the joint statement of the U.S. and the R.O.K. and are concerned about that. We believe that the development of U.S-R.O.K. relations should be conducive to promoting regional peace, stability, development, and prosperity, rather than the opposite, still less harmful to the interests of third parties including China. The joint statement mentioned issues related to Taiwan and the South China Sea. The Taiwan question is China’s internal affair”.

Zhao added, “It bears on China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and allows no interference by external forces. We urge relevant countries to speak and act prudentially on the Taiwan question and refrain from playing with fire”. The comments from the Chinese Foreign Ministry came just after Biden and Moon met on Friday and issued a joint statement mentioning Taiwan. The White House issued a U.S-R.O.K. leaders’ joint statement and said, “We pledge to maintain peace and stability, lawful unimpeded commerce, and respect for international law, including freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea and beyond. President Biden and President Moon emphasize the importance of preserving peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait”.

The statement added, “As democracies that value pluralism and individual liberty, we share our intent to promote human rights and rule of law issues, both at home and abroad”. On Friday, President Biden and Moon also spoke about Taiwan during a press conference at the White House. Moon was asked if he and Biden have offered assurances to Taiwan and if Biden has pushed Moon to take a tougher stance on China’s posture towards Taiwan. Moon said, “Well, fortunately, there wasn’t much pressure. But, as for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, we agreed how important that region is, especially considering the special characteristics between China and Taiwan. We decided to work more closely on this matter going forward”. With the support of Western nations like the US and Taiwan has continued to operate as an independent nation but China has disputed this notion and proceeded to claim it as part of their Chinese territory.