China warns US to stop 'playing with fire' on Taiwan

Chinese officials Tuesday warned the U.S. to stop "playing with fire" when it comes to U.S. relations with Taiwan, following new State Department guidelines that seek to deepen ties with Taipei.

"There is zero room for compromise and not an inch to give," Chinese spokesperson Zhao Lijian told reporters Tuesday. "We urge the U.S. side to grasp the situation, earnestly abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués, refrain from playing with fire, immediately stop official contact with Taiwan in any form." The spokesman warned against sending the "wrong signals to Taiwan 'independence forces' so as not to subversively influence and damage Sino-U.S. relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait."