In call with Biden Xi warns against 'playing with fire' over Taiwan

U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a fifth call as leaders on Thursday, and Xi warned against "playing with fire" over Taiwan, as concerns mounted over a possible visit to Chinese-claimed island by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Chinese state media said Xi told Biden that the United States should abide by the "one-China principle" and stressed that China firmly opposed Taiwanese independence and interference of external forces.

Beijing has issued escalating warnings about repercussions should Pelosi - a Democrat like Biden - visit Taiwan, a move that would be a dramatic, though not unprecedented, show of U.S. support for the island, which says it is facing increasing Chinese military and economic threats.

"Those who play with fire will only get burnt," Chinese state media quote Xi as telling Biden. "(We) hope the U.S. side can see this clearly."