China's military strongman Jiang Zemin on Thursday told visiting US National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice China would not "sit idle" if foreign forces supported Taiwan independence.
"If Taiwan authorities are determined to pursue Taiwan independence; if foreign forces interfere and support this, we would definitely not sit idle without doing anything," Jiang was paraphrased on Chinese state-run television station CCTV as saying.
The ageing but still powerful former president's veiled warnings against US military intervention if Taiwan formally declares independence and China attacks the island came amid increasing tension between Beijing and Taipei.
The recent re-election of pro-independence Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian has fuelled fears in Beijing that Chen may be moving toward a formal split in his second term. Beijing hopes Washington will curb any such moves by Chen.
Jiang told Rice Taiwan was the "most sensitive" issue in Sino-US relations and expressed dismay with Washington's recent handling of Taiwan matters.
"The US side's recent series of actions, especially plans to sell arms to Taiwan made Chinese people feel seriously concerned and dissatisfied," said Jiang, chairman of the Central Military Commission.
He said while China prefers to settle the Taiwan issue peacefully, it "will definitely not tolerate Taiwan independence."
Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, in his talks with Rice, "strongly" urged the US to understand the sensitivity of the Taiwan issue and "gravity" of the current situation, the Xinhua news agency reported.
"The Taiwan issue has a bearing on China's key interest and is the most crucial factor that affects the smooth development of China-US relations," Li said.
He urged the US to not only stop selling arms to Taiwan, which Beijing fears will embolden Chen, but to halt military and official relations with Taiwan.
A senior administration official travelling with Rice told AFP she conveyed President George W. Bush's reaffirmation of US backing for the One-China policy, which recognises Taiwan as a part of China, and his "non-support" for Taiwan independence or any actions by Taipei to change the status quo.
But she reiterated Washington's commitment to the Taiwan Relations Act, under which the United States pledges to defend the island if it is attacked.
"Rice, on behalf of the president, expressed our continuing commitment to the obligations under the Taiwan Relations Act ...," said the official who declined to be identified.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary, and has refused to recognise Taiwan's 55 years of de-facto independence since they separated at the end of a civil war in 1949.
Human rights, religious freedom and weapons proliferation issues were also raised by Rice during discussions, said the official, who declined to give details.
A US source said Rice specifically raised concerns about retired military doctor Jiang Yanyong who exposed Beijing's cover-up of last year's Sars epidemic, but is now reported by US media to be under 24-hour supervision and being forced to undergo "brainwashing sessions."
He had recently called for a government reassessment of the 1989 Tiananmen massacre.
Rice meets President Hu Jintao Friday before leaving for Seoul.