Chinese Defense Minister Warns Not To Play Fire On Taiwan, Insinuating The United States?

Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu. (Twitter/@IISS_org)

JAKARTA - Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu issued a warning not to play with fire about Taiwan, insisting the island's issue will not be able to limit Beijing.

Speaking at a Moscow Conference on International Security, Minister Li said efforts to "use Taiwan to contain China will end in failure," according to state news agency Xinhua, as reported by CNN Aug. 16.

"The Chinese military is a powerful force in maintaining world peace, while Chinese leader Xi Jinping aims to stabilize global security in the chaotic world," said Minister Li.

"We are willing to cooperate with other militaries to strengthen mutual trust in military security strategies, as well as practical cooperation in various special fields," he continued.

Meanwhile, Russian media Sputnik quoted Minister Li as saying that the military relations between China and Russia were not targeting any third parties.

Minister Li's comments on Taiwan come shortly after Beijing reacted strongly to William Lai, the incumbent Taiwanese Vice President who ran for president in the upcoming elections, in line with his withdrawal to the United States during a visit to Paraguay.

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the stopover on Sunday, calling Lai a "continuous problemmaker."

China has in recent years increased its military intimidation of Taiwan, including after a meeting between Taiwanese leaders and members of the US Parliament.

The ruling Chinese Communist Party claims Taiwan under Beijing's rule, pledging to take control of it by force if necessary.

Uncle Sam's own country maintains unofficial ties with Taipei, after formally establishing diplomatic relations with Beijing in 1979, but is bound by law to provide the island of democracy with the means of self-defense.