Threat of further war

Beijing sees Taiwan as the “core of the core issues”

Both countries have been rehearsing the emergency for years.(Bild: AFP/Yasuyoshi CHIBA)

Beijing continues to attack Taiwan head-on. Statements by the Chinese defense minister give little hope for peace. China is determined to prevent Taiwan's independence by all means.

In his speech at the international defense conference "Shangri-La Dialogue" in Singapore on Sunday, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun added to the dispute with Taiwan.

He stated: "China remains committed to peaceful reunification, but this prospect is increasingly being undermined by separatists who advocate Taiwan independence and by foreign forces."

Beijing sees "conspiracy"
The minister promised to ensure that Taiwan independence would never happen: "We will take resolute measures to curb Taiwan independence and ensure that such a plot never succeeds."

In his speech, Dong explained that Taiwan is the "core of core issues" for China, but that Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party is gradually pursuing separatism and striving to eradicate Chinese identity.

Relations increasingly tense
China regards democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, although the government in Taipei strictly rejects this. Taiwan's newly elected President Lai Ching-te calls Beijing "separatists". Although China recently held military exercises near Taiwan to demonstrate and provoke its power, Lai continued to offer his willingness to talk.

However, China refuses to talk to Lai and is angered that the US has repeatedly offered its support to Taiwan. Lai rejects Beijing's claims to sovereignty and says that only the Taiwanese people can decide their future.