Chinese newspapers warn Trump on Taiwan

Two Chinese state-run newspapers are warning President-elect Donald Trump against putting the “One China” policy up for debate.

“If Trump is determined to use this gambit in taking office, a period of fierce, damaging interactions will be unavoidable, as Beijing will have no choice but to take off the gloves,” wrote China Daily, an English-language newspaper, Reuters reported.

Trump last week said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal that the policy is “under negotiation.”

Following those comments, Beijing reiterated that the policy was not negotiable.

“The Chinese mainland will be prompted to speed up Taiwan reunification and mercilessly combat those who advocate Taiwan’s independence,” wrote The Global Times.

Hua Chunying, the spokeswoman for China’s Foreign Ministry, said the government would oppose any effort to alter the policy.

“If anyone attempts to damage the One China principle or if they are under the illusion they can use this as a bargaining chip, they will be opposed by the Chinese government and people,” she said.

The U.S. adopted the ‘One China’ policy in 1979, when the U.S. and China renewed diplomatic relations. Washington at the time stopped recognizing Taiwan, which China considers a breakaway province.

Trump in December broke with historic United States protocol by speaking to Taiwan’s president over the phone.