Taiwan has declared China as the only obstacle to regional peace, responding to a warning from Chinese President Xi Jinping to U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the Taiwan issue. In a statement, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Beijing poses the sole risk to current regional stability and peace.

Xi had earlier cautioned that mishandling the Taiwan matter could lead to a major conflict between the two countries. Taiwan’s foreign ministry countered by citing China’s military harassment and so-called “gray-zone” activities around Taiwan and nearby areas as evidence of Beijing’s destabilizing actions. The statement also asserted that Beijing has no right to make claims on behalf of Taiwan in international affairs.

The Taiwan issue has become the focal point of the Trump-Xi summit in Beijing, with China insisting Taiwan is an inseparable part of its territory, while Taiwan seeks global support to defend its sovereignty. Observers note that Taiwan’s sharp remarks have added new tension to the ongoing high-level discussions.