Chinese President Warns Biden Against "Playing with Fire" Regarding Taiwan

Chinese President Xi Jinping warned his American counterpart Joe Biden during a phone conversation to "not play with fire" concerning Taiwan. According to the Xinhua News Agency, Xi Jinping stated that "Beijing strongly opposes interference in Taiwan's affairs and will firmly defend its sovereignty over it... We strongly oppose separatist tendencies and foreign intervention in Taiwan's affairs." The Chinese president emphasized his country's determination, both government and people, to protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Earlier, media reported on the deployment of the U.S. nuclear aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan to the South China Sea, with indications it might head towards the Taiwan Strait.