US urged 'not to play with fire' after military plane reportedly lands in Taiwan

China's Ministry of National Defense urged the United States "not to play with fire" and stop risky provocations in response to reports of the US landing a military transport plane in Taiwan on Thursday. 

Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a ministry spokesman, said in a statement on Thursday that the island is a sacred and inseparable part of Chinese territory, and the Chinese military is closely monitoring the situation. 

Any foreign military plane landing on Chinese territory must receive approval from the government of the People's Republic of China, Wu said. 

"Any violation of our airspace by foreign ships and planes will lead to serious consequences," he said. "We urge the US side not to play with fire, immediately stop these risky provocations, stop sending the wrong signals to Taiwan separatist forces and avoid escalating tension in the Taiwan Straits.

"To the island's ruling Democratic Progressive Party, Wu warned them not to misjudge the situation and invite trouble by taking risks and colluding with foreign forces for its secession agenda. 

"This will only push Taiwan into a perilous situation," he said. "China must and will inevitably be united."

"Nobody should underestimate the Chinese people's adamant determination, unshakable will and formidable capability in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said. "The People's Liberation Army will remain on high alert and take whatever actions necessary to crush any Taiwan secession agenda."