Blinken meets Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Rome: He makes a harsh warning to her

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken set down diplomacy at the meeting with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Rome, Italy, where the summit of the world's 20 most industrialized nations, known as the G20 group, took place.

Through Blinken, the U.S.A. told China not to take any unilateral action that would change Taiwan's status. The U.S. top diplomat made it clear that Washington strongly opposes Beijing's actions, which have significantly intensified tensions in Taiwan's straits over the past few months, with several aircraft withdrawals in the island's air defence zone.

Early in October, during China's National Day celebrations, Beijing sent 149 military planes to the area around Taiwan, prompting Taipei to put military units on alert. The democratic-run island considers itself independent, but China views it as its breakaway province.

Although the United States severed its formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979 and recognised Beijing's sovereignty, Washington remains committed to ensuring Taiwan's defence capabilities, which says it does not want to start a war with China, but in case of aggression, it will defend itself fully.