Chinese state media has warned that a global conflict over Taiwan “could erupt at any time.”

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Chinese state media warned that the threat of war was “real” and “may be unleashed at any time”, as relations between China and Taiwan worsened and military tensions between the two countries soared to their highest level in more than 40 years.

The editorial in China’s state-backed Global Times came as China ramped up its military intimidation of the island nation of Taiwan.

On Monday, a record 56 Chinese warplanes stormed Taiwan’s airspace, prompting Taipei’s Defense Ministry to scramble the air defense system and issue warnings. The show of force marks the fourth consecutive day of incursions by Chinese People’s Liberation Army aircraft, with about 148 Chinese aircraft encroaching on the island’s airspace.

Taiwan called the incursions “irresponsible provocative actions,” while the United States, Japan and Australia urged China to end its military threats.

The editorial objected to the US and Japan’s support for Taiwan, calling it “strategic collusion” that it said had become more “bold”.

It also warned Taiwan and its supporters not to “continue playing with fire,” noting that “the Chinese mainland’s willingness to use force against Taiwan’s separatist forces is much stronger than ever.”

Strategic collusion between the United States, Japan and the Democratic Progressive Party [Democratic Progressive Party in Taiwan] The editorial said the authorities had become more emboldened, the situation across the Taiwan Strait had lost almost any room for maneuver and teetered on the brink of confrontation, creating a sense of urgency that war could break out at any time. .

Taiwan said on Monday that China penetrated its airspace with 56 aircraft, including nuclear-capable bombers, in a single day. Before that, the People’s Liberation Army sent 38 warplanes to the region on China’s National Day on Friday, 39 on Saturday, followed by 16 on Sunday.

Hours before the incursions, it was reported that the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth had entered the disputed South China Sea, which China claims as its territorial waters. This may indicate that the joint British ship’s joint exercises with the US aircraft carriers USS Carl Vinson and USS Ronald Reagan, and the Japanese helicopter destroyer GSA, was another factor in China’s “bullying” of Taiwan, according to experts.

Joint exercises with warships from six different countries continued over the weekend amid escalating tensions between Taiwan and China.

In a stinging rebuke, the editorial said that China would not allow the island to serve as a “strategic containment site for the United States against China,” and that it would not be allowed to break away from China under any circumstances.

Another hard-hitting editorial in the Global Times said Taiwan’s fate “must be a disaster when they try to separate Taiwan from China.” He also warned that Taiwan is heading to its “grave” with the complicity of outside powers. This editorial was published in response to an article by Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen in Foreign Affairs, in which she warned of “catastrophic consequences” for peace in Asia if Taipei fell to Beijing.

Taiwan’s defense minister said on Wednesday that China has the capacity to launch a “large-scale” invasion of Taiwan by 2025. Chiu Kuo-cheng said the situation between China and Taiwan was the “most dangerous” in more than 40 years, adding that there was a risk of a “disruption.” across the delicate Taiwan Strait.

He said a parliamentary committee was reviewing a proposal for private military spending of NT$240 billion (£6.3 billion) for Taiwan-made weapons, such as missiles and warships.

Although the United States and Australia do not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, they have issued statements offering support to Taiwan against China’s recent show of force.

Australia said it was “concerned by the increase in Chinese air incursions into the Taiwan air defense zone over the past week” and warned against “the threat or use of force”.

The United States described the incursions as provocative and destabilizing. “Our commitment to Taiwan is very strict and contributes to maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and within the region,” the statement said.

But China criticized the US statement for “inflating” Taiwan’s separatist forces, and demanded that Washington stop supporting such actions.

Following China’s statement, Joe Biden said on Tuesday that he had spoken with Chinese President Xi Jinping over the phone. “I spoke with Xi about Taiwan. We agree… We will abide by the Taiwan Agreement. We’ve made it clear that I don’t think he should do anything other than stick to the agreement.”

Biden was said to have long been referring to Washington’s “one China policy,” under which it officially recognizes Beijing rather than Taipei, and the Taiwan Relations Act.

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan will hold talks with China’s top diplomat Yang Jiechi in Switzerland later on Wednesday amid rising tensions between the world’s two largest economies over a range of issues, including the Taiwan issue. This will be the first face-to-face meeting between Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Yang since the two engaged in an oral exchange in Alaska in March.

A group of French senators, including a former defense minister, are scheduled to visit Taiwan this week, despite pressure from China. Taiwan Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Joanne O said the delegation will be led by Alan Richard, head of the Taiwanese Friendship Group in the French Senate.

(with additional reports from agencies)

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