Taiwan is publicly rejecting Beijing's claim to the island after Malaysia's prime minister appeared to justify a Chinese invasion — a diplomatic setback for Taipei and a win for China.

• Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said in an interview that if one of Malaysia's states tried to break away, he would use force to hold the country together — an answer widely read as excusing a Chinese attack on Taiwan.
• China's Taiwan Affairs Office praised the remarks and repeated that Taiwan has no sovereignty of its own and is part of China.
• Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council answered that the two governments are not subordinate to each other and that Taiwan has never been part of the People's Republic of China.
• Taiwan's foreign ministry called the comments false and damaging to regional peace, and warned they could shake the confidence of Taiwanese firms investing in Malaysia.
• Beijing shot back that Taipei is using trade and investment as leverage to press other countries into backing independence.

Outlook: Expect more friction between Taipei and Kuala Lumpur, with Taiwanese business ties to Malaysia the most likely pressure point.