China will exert utmost efforts to realise "peaceful reunification" with Taiwan, its foreign ministry said on Monday, after the Chinese foreign minister declared last week that the island would never be "a country".

The Chinese People's Liberation Army warns against the escalation of separatist activities in Taiwan. A spokesperson for the army announces tightening the noose around the island in case of further provocations.

China's military vowed Sunday to tighten its "noose" around Taiwan if separatism on the island escalated, warning independence proponents to step back from the "precipice".

China will exert utmost efforts to realise "peaceful reunification" with Taiwan, but will take all necessary steps to safeguard China's territorial integrity, its foreign ministry said on Monday.

China's foreign ministry reiterated their commitment to achieving peaceful reunification with Taiwan, despite increased military pressure and past comments from the foreign minister stating Taiwan would never become a country.