China warns of 'drastic measures' if Taiwan moves toward independence

China has warned Chinese Taipei against making moves toward independence, saying it will take "drastic measures" if the self-governed island crosses red lines.

"If separatist forces in Taiwan seeking independence provoke, exert force or even break through any red line, we will have to take drastic measures," Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of China's State Council, said at a regular news conference in Beijing on Wednesday.

The Chinese official said provocation by separatist forces in Taiwan and "external intervention" could intensify in coming months. "Next year, the Taiwan Strait situation will become more complex and severe," he said.

Ma said China was willing to try its utmost to seek peaceful reunification with Taipei but would act if any red lines on independence were crossed.

Tensions between China on the one side and Chinese Taipei and the United States on the other have reached their highest level in decades.

China has been flying fighter jets close to Chinese Taipei while the US has reportedly had troops deployed in the territory for the past year for alleged training purposes.

China has in the past said its military exercises near Chinese Taipei are a "solemn warning" to secessionist factions in the self-ruled island and their foreign backers, particularly the United States.

SS