A Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said on Monday the one-China principle is what underpins peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

"We are willing to create broad space for peaceful reunification, but we will never leave any room for 'Taiwan independence' separatist activities," Mao Ning said at a regular news briefing in Beijing on the 111th anniversary of the 1911 Revolution.

Mao said the root cause of cross-strait tensions is that the island's ruling Democratic Progressive Party has been clinging to Taiwan independence and colluding with external forces to make provocations.

In Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen said war between Beijing and Taipei is "absolutely not an option". She reiterated her willingness to talk to mainland authorities, and also pledged to boost the island's defences including with precision missiles. (Agencies)