UPDATE 5-China sharpens language, warns Taiwan that independence 'means war'

* Unusual for Beijing to make such overt threat
* U.S. has urged China to stop pressuring Taiwan
* Beijing says Taiwan is inseparable part of China
* Taiwan president has repeatedly vowed to defend island

(Adds Pentagon reaction, paragraphs 10-11)
By Tony Munroe and Yew Lun Tian
BEIJING, Jan 28 (Reuters) - China toughened its language
towards Taiwan on Thursday, warning after recent stepped up
military activities near the island that "independence means
war" and that its armed forces were acting in response to
provocation and foreign interference.
Taiwan, claimed by China as its own territory, reported
multiple Chinese fighter jets and bombers entering its
southwestern air defence identification zone last weekend,
prompting Washington to urge Beijing to stop pressuring Taiwan.
China believes that Taiwan's democratically-elected
government is moving the island towards a declaration of formal
independence, though Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has
repeatedly said it is already an independent country called the
Republic of China, its formal name.
Asked at a monthly news briefing about the air force's
recent activities, Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Wu Qian
said Taiwan is an inseparable part of China.
"The military activities carried out by the Chinese People's
Liberation Army in the Taiwan Strait are necessary actions to
address the current security situation in the Taiwan Strait and
to safeguard national sovereignty and security," he said.
"They are a solemn response to external interference and
provocations by 'Taiwan independence' forces," he added.
Wu said a "handful" of people in Taiwan were seeking the
island's independence.
"We warn those 'Taiwan independence' elements: those who
play with fire will burn themselves, and 'Taiwan independence'
means war," he added.
While China has never renounced the use of force to bring
Taiwan under its control, it is unusual for Beijing to make such
overt, verbal threats of conflict.
Asked about the remarks, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said
there was no reason that tensions between China and Taiwan "need
to lead to anything like confrontation." He also reaffirmed
longstanding U.S. military support to Taiwan's self-defense.
"We have obligations to assist Taiwan with their
self-defense and I think you're going to see that continue,"
said Kirby, a retired admiral, in the first Pentagon briefing of
the Biden administration.
Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council said China should think
carefully and not underestimate the island's determination to
defend its sovereignty and uphold freedom and democracy.
Taiwan's Defence Ministry reported six Chinese air force
aircraft, including four J-10 fighter jets, flew into its air
defence zone on Thursday, close to the Taiwan-controlled Pratas
Islands at the top end of the South China Sea.
The weekend Chinese incursions coincided with a U.S. carrier
battle group entering the disputed South China Sea to promote
"freedom of the seas". China routinely describes Taiwan as its most important and
sensitive issue in relations with the United States, which under
the former Trump administration ramped up support for the island
in terms of arms sales and senior officials visiting Taipei.
President Joe Biden's government, in office for a week, has
reaffirmed its commitment to Taiwan as being "rock solid."
Taiwan has denounced China's threats and efforts at
intimidation, and Tsai has vowed to defend the island's freedom
and not be coerced.