China has issued its latest threat towards Taiwan by warning it is ready to use 'all necessary means' to seize the disputed island.
Beijing's new ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, refused to rule out the use of force after a visit last week by high-ranking US politician Nancy Pelosi fuelled further tensions, sparking China's biggest ever live fire exercises around the territory.
The envoy said after six days of the military drills: 'We can never rule out the option to use other means. So when necessary, when compelled, we are ready to use all necessary means.
'As to what does it mean by "necessary means?" You can use your imagination.'
Mr Xiao claimed that China has been 'so patient' while 'waiting for a peaceful reunification' despite the Communist superpower's constant sabre-rattling and displays of military strength around the territory.
He added that 'the majority of the people in Taiwan believe they're Chinese' and deserve a say in their future, despite its population being overwhelmingly against unification.
Separately today, a strong statement issued by China's Taiwan Affairs Office also refused to rule out the use of force, adding: 'Never before have we been so close to, confident in, and capable of achieving the goal of national rejuvenation.'
Since Thursday, China has been sending ships and aircraft across an unofficial buffer between the coasts and missiles over Taipei and into waters surrounding the island, and navy ships were active this morning.
Taiwan also held an artillery drill on Tuesday simulating defence against an attack on the island as defiant leaders vowed they would not be intimidated by their neighbouring superpower.
Today, China's military said it has 'completed various tasks' around Taiwan but will conduct regular patrols, potentially signalling an end to days of war games.
China's Taiwan cabinet said today the two countries belong together and asserted they have been cooperating increasingly closely in recent years.
The statement said Beijing would 'work with the greatest sincerity and exert our utmost efforts to achieve peaceful reunification'.
'But we will not renounce the use of force, and we reserve the option of taking all necessary measures. This is to guard against external interference and all separatist activities,' the statement said.
'We will always be ready to respond with the use of force or other necessary means to interference by external forces or radical action by separatist elements. Our ultimate goal is to ensure the prospects of China's peaceful reunification and advance this process.'
Taiwan split with the mainland amid civil war in 1949 and the island's 23 million people overwhelmingly oppose political unification with China, while preferring to maintain close economic links and the status quo of de-facto independence.
Mr Xiao was asked to quell 'concerns' from Australians about the 'prospect of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan' and what would 'justify a use of force across the strait'.
In response, the ambassador said: 'Taiwan is not an independent state. Taiwan is a province of the People's Republic of China.
'It's an issue of complete reunification, and the issue of Taiwan coming back to the motherland.'
No comments:
Post a Comment