Beijing: China has asked the US to stop providing a platform to "Taiwan independence" movements, after US President Joe Biden's decision to issue an invitation to Taiwan for a future online "Democracy Summit."

China's foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian was quoted by Radio Free Asia as saying, "China firmly opposes the US's invitation to the Taiwan authorities to participate in the so-called Democracy Summit. We seriously urge the United States to cease providing a forum to proponents of "Taiwan independence," Zhao said, adding, "Those who play with fire get burned."

According to Radio Free Asia, the spokesperson's comments came after Beijing penalised Taiwanese corporations that gave to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), a pro-democracy party that criticises China's assertiveness in the region.

"We will never allow businesses that support Taiwan's 'secession'... or those that bite the hand that feeds them to make money here," Zhu Fenglian, a spokeswoman for China's Taiwan Affairs Office, told reporters. Nine Chinese jets, including two nuclear-capable H-6 bombers, were detected crossing Taiwan's air defence identification zone earlier this week, according to Taipei.

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