Photo: Dong Jun
Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun said that the prospect of a peaceful reunification with Taiwan is increasingly less realistic due to so-called separatist sentiments on the island and the interference of external forces.
Dong Jun said this during his speech at security conference Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, writes The Guardian.
BAGNETrecalls that on May 20, the inauguration of newly elected President Lai Ching-te took place in Taiwan, which caused furious indignation on the part of the Chinese Communist Party. After which China conducted military exercises in the Taiwan area.
Threats to Taiwan from China
Minister Dong Jun accused Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party of gradually "the development of separatism and the desire to erase Chinese identity".
He said the People's Liberation Army has always been a powerful force fighting for the unification of the country and will act decisively to stop Taiwan's independence.
— Anyone who dares to separate Taiwan from China will be smashed into pieces and face their own destruction. We are too confident in our ability to contain Taiwan's independence — said the Minister of Defense during the conference.
Dong Jun also accused foreign countries of interfering in internal affairs and inciting “Taiwanese separatists.”
China is outraged by US support for Taiwan, such as arms sales, although Washington does not diplomatically recognize Taiwan as an independent country.
According to the Chinese minister, the real purpose of selling weapons to Taiwan — use the country to contain China.
Taiwan's reaction
The Taiwanese government called Dong's remarks provocative and irrational. The president called on China to end its constant threats of force and said only the people of Taiwan can decide their future.
Former Taiwanese Defense Secretary Andrew Yang hopes the U.S. will stick to its schedule of arms sales to Taiwan for self-defense.
Although China considers Taiwan part of its republic, the island has had an independent government since 1949, when military leader Chiang Kai-shek evacuated his Nationalist government there after the defeat of the Communists in the civil war.
Prepared by: Sergey Daga