The Chinese government's call for its people to stockpile food reserves has sparked speculation that Beijing may be preparing for war with Taiwan, the self-controlled island of which China sees it owning and threatens to annex it by force.

A report by the American network "ABC News" claims that the call of the Chinese authorities caused panic on the Internet and ignited a wave of inciting war remarks.

The report indicated that most analysts do not believe the war is imminent, but the call to stock up on groceries has shown that fears of a war between China and Taiwan occupy people's minds.

On Monday evening, the Department of Commerce posted a message on its website that said, "(We call) families to stock up on a certain amount of essential products to meet daily needs and emergencies."

The statement did not specify the reason for the call or whether the state was threatened by food shortages, but this led to speculation that the ministry's call might hint at preparations for war.

The official Chinese media has been intensifying its coverage of the growing tensions with Taiwan, which has led many Chinese to link the call for food storage with an imminent war.

The report quoted Chinese social commentator Shai Shusi as saying that it was natural for the ministry's announcement to raise speculation, noting that the "populist" views inciting the war did not represent a majority opinion but a warning to Taiwan.

China is demanding the annexation of Taiwan and has intensified its efforts in recent years to isolate it in the international arena, while rejecting any attempt to treat the island itself as an independent state.

Repeated infiltrations by the Chinese Air Force into Taiwan’s air defense zone have been met with a wave of international support for Taipei, including from the United States, which has emphasized its long-standing commitment to support the island’s independence.