China VP warns at UN of 'strong will' on Taiwan

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 21: Vice President of the People's Republic of China Han Zheng speaks during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at United Nations headquarters on September 21, 2023 in New York City. World heads of state and representatives of government are attending amidst multiple global crises such as Russia's illegal war against Ukraine, and the climate emergency. Kena Betancur/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by KENA BETANCUR/ GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/ Getty Images via AFP)

UNITED NATIONS (AFP): China warned Thursday (Sept 21) at the United Nations not to underestimate its "strong will" on Taiwan, while saying Beijing preferred peaceful means to take the self-governing democracy.

Addressing the General Assembly, Vice President Han Zheng repeated Beijing's stance that Taiwan -- around which the communist mainland has staged repeated military exercises -- constitutes an "inalienable part" of China.