US Speaker Nancy Pelosi has left Taiwan after a brief but controversial visit.
Ms Pelosi – the most senior US politician to visit in 25 years – departed on Wednesday after meeting leaders in the capital Taipei.
But her visit, as part of a wider Asian tour, sparked fury in Beijing after she ignored its warnings not to travel to the island.
Taiwan is self-ruled – but China sees it as a breakaway province that will eventually unite with it.
Accusing the US of “violating China’s sovereignty under the guise of so-called democracy”, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said: “Those who play with fire will not come to a good end and those who offend China will be punished.”
The senior US Democrat’s visit was not approved by her party colleague, President Joe Biden, who had said the American military felt it was “not a good idea right now” amid heightened tensions between the two countries. ENDS