CHINA warned that attempts by Taiwan to seek independence from Beijing “means war”.
The warning came days after Beijing stepped up military activities and sent warplanes near the island. It also came amid closer ties between Taiwan and the US, which welcomed a new administration just last week.
“We are seriously telling those Taiwan independence forces: those who play with fire will burn themselves, and Taiwan independence means war,” Chinese defence ministry spokesman Wu Qian said at a press conference on Thursday.
He also defended China’s recent military activities saying they were “necessary actions to address the current security situation in the Taiwan Strait and to safeguard national sovereignty and security”.
Under Xi Jinping’s leadership, China has repeatedly said that it would use military force to prevent any move towards formal independence by what it regards as a renegade province. (BBC)
