PLA ready to ensure 'Taiwan independence' will never succeed

Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun said on Sunday in Singapore that the People's Liberation Army will take "timely, resolute and forceful actions" to ensure that the scheme of "Taiwan independence" will never succeed.

He made these remarks during his keynote speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue, an elite international security forum.

"We have always respected the legitimate concerns of other countries, and meanwhile, China's core interests are sacred and inviolable," said Dong, noting that safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity is the sacred mission of the Chinese military.

"Taiwan is at the core of China's core interests, and the one-China principle has long been a universally recognized norm in international relations worldwide," he said.

However, the minister stressed that the current question lies with Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authorities, who are wantonly engaging in "incremental Taiwan independence" and stubbornly pushing for "de-sinicization," attempting to sever the social, historical, and cultural ties between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Dong noted that external interference forces, at the same time, are continuously undermining the one-China principle through a "salami-slicing" approach, including crafting Taiwan-related legislation, insisting on arms sales to Taiwan, and engaging in illegal official exchanges.

The defense chief said that these actions have essentially supported "Taiwan independence" and aim to use Taiwan to contain China. "These malicious intentions are pushing Taiwan into danger."

He pointed out that China's handling of Taiwan-related affairs lawfully is entirely a domestic matter in which external forces have no right to interfere.

"We have always been committed to peaceful reunification, but this prospect is being undermined by 'Taiwan independence' separatists and external forces, and the danger of national secession always exists," the senior official emphasized.

"The PLA is always an all-conquering force in safeguarding the reunification of the motherland! It will take timely, resolute, and forceful actions to ensure that the scheme of 'Taiwan independence' will never succeed," he said.