China on Friday threatened military action to “resolutely smash” any attempt by Taiwan to become fully independent, ratcheting up regional tensions after pressing ahead with a contentious new security law that would dismantle much of Hong Kong’s autonomy.

The threats are consistent with Beijing’s increasingly aggressive actions on its periphery, but come at a particularly fraught time, ahead of an expected announcement Friday by President Trump of new punitive measures against China…

“If the possibility for peaceful reunification is lost, the people’s armed forces will, with the whole nation, including the people of Taiwan, take all necessary steps to resolutely smash any separatist plots or actions,” Li said in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

“We will not commit ourselves to renouncing the use of force on the Taiwan issue, and will reserve the option of taking all necessary measures.”