'A war scare'? US-China tensions flare over Taiwan as some fear cold war – or worse

Tensions between the U.S. and China have flared in recent days as the Biden administration rebuked Beijing for its military aggression against Taiwan, prompting a fierce backlash from Chinese officials.

The verbal sparring serves as a stark illustration of China's mounting aggression against its neighbors and highlights President Joe Biden's quandary as he tries to counter China's military expansion.

Some experts fear that if the brewing "cold war" between Washington and Beijing turns hot, Taiwan will be the spark. China views Taiwan as part of its territory; Taiwan sees itself as an independent, sovereign nation. The U.S. has long tried to navigate a fraught middle ground that aims to support Taiwan without infuriating China. That balancing act is now being stress tested.

China's military has dispatched more than 100 war planes into Taiwan's air defense zone over the last several days, according to Taiwan's defense ministry.

On Sunday, the State Department accused Beijing of engaging in "provocative" and "destabilizing" behavior and reiterated America's support for Taiwan.

"We urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure and coercion against Taiwan," State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement Sunday. "The U.S. commitment to Taiwan is rock solid and contributes to the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," he said.