The Ministry of National Defense released a statement Wednesday that said the People's Liberation Army (PLA) would "take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard" China's sovereignty, while the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Pompeo's comments "seriously violated" the one-China principle. 

"China urges the US side to immediately correct its mistakes," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. "The Chinese side will take necessary countermeasures to respond to the above-mentioned erroneous actions by the US side. And the US side should bear the consequences arising therefrom."

Washington has carefully refrained from recognizing Taipei's government in the past. What triggered China into a fit of rage this week is Pompeo's tweet that recognized Tsai as president and called Taiwan a "force for good in the world and a reliable partner."