China’s protection chief warns Beijing would ‘fight to the end’ to cease Taiwan’s independence

The “pursuit of Taiwan independence is a dead end,” China’s Defense Minister Wei Fenghe informed the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, on Sunday.

He mentioned China would do something in its energy to cease Taiwanese independence amid hovering tensions with the United States over the difficulty.

“If anyone dares to secede Taiwan from China, we will not hesitate to fight. We will fight at all costs, and we definitely will fight to the very end. This is the only choice for China,” Wei warned.

His assertion comes a day after US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin criticized China for a “more coercive and aggressive approach to its territorial claims.”

Best of Express PremiumPremiumPremiumPremiumPremium

“We’ve witnessed a steady increase in provocative and destabilizing military activity near Taiwan, and that includes PLA [Chinese military] aircraft flying near Taiwan in record numbers in recent months and nearly on a daily basis,” Austin mentioned on the identical convention in Singapore.

China says it received’t be backed right into a nook by the United States

Wei urged Washington to “stop smearing and containing China… stop interfering in China’s internal affairs and stop harming China’s interests”.

He mentioned China-US relations have been at a essential and essential juncture. “Confrontation will benefit neither our two countries nor the world,” Wei added.

Wei advised the US looking for multilateral partnerships with Indo-Pacific nations was an try to again China right into a nook.

“No country should impose its will on others or bully others under the guise of multilateralism,” he mentioned.

But he additionally struck a extra conciliatory tone at factors, calling for a “stable” China-US relationship, which he mentioned was “vital for global peace.”

US-China tensions over Taiwan

Tensions over Taiwan have escalated particularly resulting from growing Chinese army plane incursions into the island’s Air Defense Identification Zone.

Taiwan and China break up throughout a civil conflict in 1949, however China considers it a renegade province to be reunited with the mainland.

Austin on Saturday additionally mentioned Washington remained dedicated to the “one-China policy,” by which the US solely formally acknowledges Beijing, however maintains casual relations and protection ties with Taipei.

🚨 Limited Time Offer | Express Premium with ad-lite for simply Rs 2/ day 👉🏽 Click right here to subscribe 🚨

Wei nonetheless mentioned the US was not adhering to its coverage, saying “it keeps playing the Taiwan card against China.”

He mentioned China’s “greatest wish” was “peaceful reunification” with Taiwan

Austin mentioned the US stands “firmly behind the principle that cross-strait differences must be resolved by peaceful means,” but in addition that the US would proceed to satisfy its commitments to Taiwan.

“That includes assisting Taiwan in maintaining sufficient self-defense capacity,” he mentioned.