Ahead of the much-anticipated meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, China has issued a stern warning on Taiwan, declaring that while it seeks peace, it will not hesitate to use force if necessary. The statement has further heightened tensions with both Taiwan and the United States just before the high-level talks.

At a press conference in Beijing, Peng Qing-en, spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, reiterated that China’s core policy remains “peaceful reunification” under the “one country, two systems” framework. He emphasized that Beijing would continue to make “sincere efforts” toward achieving that goal but cautioned that China “reserves the right to take all necessary measures” if provoked. The remarks come even as Chinese state media has recently adopted a slightly softer tone, outlining a governance model for Taiwan led by so-called “patriots.”

The timing of this statement is particularly significant, as Trump and Xi are expected to meet on Thursday. While Trump said he was uncertain whether Taiwan would be discussed, Beijing’s fresh warning signals that it remains steadfast—and increasingly assertive—on the “One China” principle.

Taiwan, however, has responded sharply to China’s comments. Tsai Ming-yen, head of Taiwan’s National Security Bureau, rejected Beijing’s stance, asserting that the “patriots’ model” used in Hong Kong and Macau is not applicable to Taiwan. He reaffirmed that Taiwan is a sovereign democratic nation, and attempts to impose such a model would never succeed.