TAIPEI/BEIJING /Reuters – Taiwan’s Defence Ministry warned China Wednesday of powerful countermeasures if their forces get too close to Taiwan. Beijing defended Taiwan’s invasions into Taiwan’s Air Defense Zone as “just” actions to maintain peace and stability.

Last week Taiwan’s defence minister stated that military tensions with China are at an all-time high. China claims Taiwan as its sovereign territory. China also claimed it will be able to invade Taiwan by 2025.

This was after China had launched four days of simultaneous mass air force incursions into Taiwan’s air defense zone. It began on Oct. 1. Part of a pattern that Taipei regards as an increase in military harassment.

There have not been any shots fired. China’s planes have avoided Taiwan’s skies, and they have concentrated their operations in the southwest corner of Taiwan’s air defense zone.

Taiwan’s defense ministry reported to Parliament that their forces would adhere to “the closer they get to the island the stronger the countermeasures”, but it did not give any details.

China’s rising prowess is a source of concern for the ministry, which has seen new aircraft carriers and submarines powered by nuclear weapons, as well as amphibious assault ship designs.

It stated that China’s abilities in blocking access to the Taiwan Strait and denying it access “are increasing more comprehensive, which will pose serious threats and challenges to our defense operations”.

China accuses Taiwan of causing tensions. The United States is its biggest international supporter. Ma Xiaoguang made this point in Beijing as a spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office. He pointed the finger at Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party’s (NYSE:) Party.

Chinese drills aim at “collusion” with foreign troops – which is a covert reference to U.S. assistance for Taiwan – and separatist activities. He added that the Chinese are protecting their sovereignty, territorial integrity, as well as peace, stability, and security in the Taiwan Strait.

Ma stated, “They’re absolutely only actions.”

He said that the DPP authorities were hyping the “military threat” to the island, which is to invert right from wrong and make a false accusation.”

Taiwan will be more at risk if the DPP authorities continue to pursue the wrong path and don’t know how they can draw back.

Taiwan asserts it is an independent nation called the Republic of China.

Despite Ma’s remarks, Taiwanese President Tsai-Ing-wen and Chinese President Xi Jinping made somewhat conciliatory speeches over the weekend. Xi vowed Taiwan would be under Chinese control, while Tsai stated they wouldn’t have to submit to China.

Xi was silent on the possibility of resorting to force in Taiwan’s case, but Tsai expressed his support for dialogue and peace between China and Taiwan.

Tsai spoke at Wednesday’s regular party meeting and reiterated his belief that while the government had never been “lackadillant” in dealing with China’s threats to its military, it has not “advanced too quickly”.

She added, “I also want you to reiterate that we will not succumb to any pressure.”