China has issued a horrifying four-word warning to the world as Xi Jinping continues to look to assert his country's dominance over Taiwan, which it sees as its territory.

President Xi has issued a stern warning in his New Year's speech, stating that no one can prevent China's "reunification" with Taiwan.

This comes as Beijing continues to increase military pressure around Taiwan, with warships and planes frequently entering the island's waters and airspace.

Despite this, Taiwan's government maintains its democratic governance and rejects Beijing's claims, insisting that only the Taiwanese people can determine their future.

He said: "The people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family. No one can sever our family bonds, and no one can stop the historical trend of national reunification."

Last year, Xi asserted that reunification was inevitable and called for shared purpose and glory in the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

He said people on both sides "should be bound by a common sense of purpose and share in the glory of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation".

Tensions have remained high throughout the year, particularly following the election of Lai Ching-te, labelled a "separatist" by Beijing, as Taiwan's latest president in May.

China has ramped up its military posturing by staging a significant naval presence around Taiwan and in the East and South China Seas, following Taiwanese Vice President Lai's stopovers in Hawaii and Guam.

Beijing, which maintains its right to use force to assert control over Taiwan, has conducted military exercises as warnings against "separatist acts" and threatens further action if provoked.

Meanwhile, US arms sales to Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act continue to aggravate tensions with China, which has issued stern warnings to the US regarding military relations with Taiwan and imposed sanctions on arms suppliers and their executives.