Just hours after Taiwan’s parliamentary speaker, You Si-kun, said that the country is capable of hitting China with a missile, Beijing retaliated with another threat to the island nation.

The war of words began after You suggested the island could respond to an invasion by launching missiles at Beijing. Speaking at a virtual event on Sunday, You, who was one of three Taiwanese officials—along with Foreign Minister Joseph Wu and Premier Su Tseng-chang—to be sanctioned by China late last year, emphasized Taiwan’s defense capabilities. 

“Taiwan of course would never invade China…nor would Taiwan actively strike Beijing or the Three Gorges Dam,” You was quoted as saying. “But before China attacks Taiwan, it must consider Taiwan’s existing capacity to strike Beijing…China should think twice before invading Taiwan.”

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China responded through its Taiwan Affairs Office on Wednesday, with spokesperson Ma Xiaoguang saying that those refusing the “unification” of Taiwan with the mainland are supporters of “Taiwan independence.”

“The ravings of stubborn pro-Taiwan independence members like You Si-kun only exposes their frenzied nature,” said Ma. “If [they] dare strike a stone with an egg, it will only accelerate [their] demise.”

There have been several speculations on Taiwan’s capabilities of launching missiles. In January, Taiwan’s legislature approved an $8.55 billion special budget for the mass production of missiles. 

Taiwan has mostly purchased fighter aircraft and tanks from the United States, which is now taking a more active role in assisting with the small nation’s defense planning.

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Talking about the 100-mile-wide Taiwan Strait, which is a natural barrier that works toward Taiwan’s advantage, You said that if Chinese troops do land on Taiwan’s beaches, it’ll be up to every Taiwanese to resist, “just like the Ukrainians.”

“[Taiwan] must let China know that even if it crosses the Taiwan Strait and successfully lands, it will still pay a price,” he was quoted as saying.