SINGAPORE: Anyone who dares split Taiwan from China will be “crushed to pieces” and destroyed, Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun told an international audience, using strong language to assert Beijing’s claim on Taiwan and warning against interference by the United States.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Admiral Dong blamed Taiwan’s ruling party, the independence-leaning Democratic People’s Party (DPP), and the Philippines for tensions in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea respectively.
Pointing to but without naming the US, he also accused “forces outside the region” of supporting Taipei and Manila, resulting in the escalation of tensions.
“Those separatists recently made fanatical statements that show their betrayal of the Chinese nation and their ancestors. They will be nailed to the pillar of shame in history,” he said, referring to the speech by new Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te during his inauguration on May 20.
Lai had repeatedly referred to China as China, which implied that the two sides were separate countries.
Three days later, China launched military drills near Taiwan as “punishment”.
The Chinese and Philippine coast guards have had recent dangerous skirmishes in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.
“China has exercised sufficient restraint, but there is a limit,” Admiral Dong warned. - The Straits Times/ANN
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