The Chinese military issued a stern warning on Thursday, stating that any move towards “Taiwan independence” would result in war. Chinese military spokesperson Sr. Col. Wu Qian emphasized that China’s reunification is an irreversible historical trend, and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is prepared to take resolute actions to counter any separatist activities in Taiwan.
The warning came in response to Taiwan’s new leader, Lai Ching-te, also known as William Lai, who delivered a pro-independence speech during his inauguration as the island’s President on May 20. Lai, who succeeded Tsai Ing-wen after winning the January Presidential election, called on China to cease its threats towards Taiwan and urged for joint efforts towards peace.
The Chinese government views Taiwan as a rebel province that must be reunified with the mainland, even if it requires the use of force. Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) maintains that Taiwan is already a sovereign nation, but does not seek formal independence from China.
In response to Lai’s speech, Col. Wu stated that any attempts towards “Taiwan independence” by force or with external support are strongly opposed by the PLA. The military exercises conducted by China around Taiwan shortly after Lai’s inauguration were described as a “strong punishment” for separatist acts.
The drills focused on joint sea-air combat-readiness patrols, precision strikes on key targets, and integrated operations to test the combat capabilities of the PLA forces. The Chinese military remains vigilant and prepared to counter any attempts at “Taiwan independence” and thwart foreign interference in the region.