Zhao reiterated at Monday‘s press conference that China has repeatedly expressed to the US its serious concerns and solemn position that it firmly opposes Pelosi‘s visit to the island, as it could cause serious consequences. China also believes that the US must have been fully aware of the strong and clear message delivered by the Chinese side.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden spoke via telephone for over two hours on Thursday, during which Xi emphasized that it is the firm will of the 1.4 billion Chinese people to resolutely safeguard China‘s national sovereignty and territorial integrity on the Taiwan issue. „Those who play with fire will perish by it,“ Xi warned Biden.