Beijing (AFP) - China warned Wednesday that Washington will "bear the consequences" if US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visits Taiwan, as tensions between the two countries escalate.

"If the United States goes ahead with visiting Taiwan...the American side will bear all the consequences," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian at a regular press conference, as Beijing considers Taiwan an integral part of China.
"We are firmly against Pelosi's visit to Taiwan," he added.

And Taiwan, which enjoys a democratic system, is under constant threat from China to invade it, as it considers the self-ruled island part of its territory and will annex it by force if necessary.

A potential visit expected to be made by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan is of concern to President Joe Biden's administration, lest it be considered a crossing of China's red lines.

The visit comes at a fraught period as President Xi Jinping, China's most powerful leader in decades, prepares to consolidate his power later this year at a key party meeting amid economic headwinds.

Pelosi did not confirm the visit, but she told reporters last week, "It is important for us to show support for Taiwan," while denying that Congress is moving to support the island's independence.

Taiwan enjoys bipartisan support in Washington, where the two political factions are divided over most issues, and China's warnings prompted calls for Pelosi to move forward.