SINGAPORE (Realist English). The People’s Liberation Army warned the United States that any attempt to break off Taiwan from mainland China will triggera military response from the Chinese side. This is reported by the BBC.
“If anyone dares to split Taiwan from China, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) will have no choice but fight at any cost and crush any attempt of ‘Taiwan independence’ and safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.” declared Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe, who met his US counterpart Lloyd Austin on the sidelines of an Asian security summit in Singapore.
Mr Austin said the US was committed to maintaining the status quo – recognising Beijing as the sole government of China and opposing Taiwanese independence.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Asian security summit “Shangri-La Dialogue”.
Mr Austin said the US was committed to maintaining the status quo – recognising Beijing as the sole government of China and opposing Taiwanese independence. He insisted there must be no attempt to resolve tensions through force. Mr Wei said the talks “went smoothly”, and both sides described them as cordial.
Mr Austin spoke of the importance of maintaining fully open lines of communications with China’s military, to avoid any misunderstanding.
The island’s authorities also advocate reducing tensions in relations with Beijing. Taiwan’s Prime Minister Su Tseng-chan “does not want to close the door to China and is ready to cooperate in good faith, but on an e Washington does not recognize the independence of the island, but according to the law of 1979, the Americans undertake to supply Taiwan with military equipment.qual basis and without prior political conditions.”
Washington does not recognize the independence of the island, but according to the law of 1979, the Americans undertake to supply Taiwan with military equipment.
