China “will fight to the end” to prevent Taiwan declare its independence, the Chinese defense minister said on Sunday, at a time when tensions over the island escalate with the United States.
“We will fight at any cost and we will fight to the end. This is the only option for ChinaMinister Wei Fenghe said at the Shangri-la Dialogue, a security forum in Singapore.
“Those who pursue Taiwanese independence in an attempt to separate China will definitely meet a bad end,” he noted.
“No one should ever underestimate the resolve and ability of the Chinese military to safeguard its territorial integrity.”
Tensions between the great powers
His speech came a day after US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin accused China of “provocative and destabilizing” military activity near Taiwan.
Beijing believes that Taiwandemocratic and self-governed, is part of its territory awaiting its reunification, by force if necessary.
Las tensions between China and the United States on the island have increased due to increasing Chinese air raids on Taiwan’s air defense zone.
(AFP)