The Chinese military has pledged to “resolutely smash” any separatist movement in Taiwan, warning that Washington’s increased intervention in the self-governing island has caused a grave schism in Sino-US relations.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) “continues to strengthen military training and preparations, and will resolutely smash any form of Taiwanese independence secession, along with attempts at outside interference, and will resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Colonel Tan Kefei told reporters in Beijing on Tuesday.
Tan made his remarks in response to a US plan to deliver $500 million in military aid to Taiwan, which was revealed earlier this month. Furthermore, the Pentagon is said to have sent up to 200 Marines to the island to give military training.
Washington had already enraged Beijing by giving weaponry to Taiwan and sending political delegations to the Chinese province’s breakaway region. After then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s controversial visit to the island in August, China increased military drills in the Taiwan Strait and severed defence and climate links with the US. China regards Taiwan as part of its sovereign territory, a position that the US government has long recognised but not endorsed.
Defence cooperation between Washington and Taipei has “shaken the foundation of Sino-US relations and undermined peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” according to Tan. “This is a very wrong and dangerous move.”
Tan referred to the Taiwan problem as “the first insurmountable red line” in China-US ties. He urged Washington to stick to its long-standing One China policy, which acknowledges the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as China’s sole legitimate government, including Taiwan.
“History must not be reversed,” added the defence spokesman. He went on to say that Chinese leaders have cautioned Taiwanese authorities that relying on the US to achieve independence is a “dead end.”
