BEIJING, June 1 : The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) will never allow Taiwan to become independent and “break away,” Chinese Lieutenant General Jing Jianfeng, deputy chief of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission, said on Saturday.
“The PLA will never allow Taiwan to break away from China, Taiwan’s independence is tantamount to war,” Jing said on the sidelines of the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
The PLA will continue to train troops, conduct preparations in case of a war and fight against Taiwan’s independence, as well as promote reunification and resist any external interference, the military official said, adding that the army will resolutely carry out its duties to protect China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Earlier in the day, Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun held talks with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue. The parties discussed China’s latest activities in the Taiwan Strait, the situation around Ukraine and space.
Taiwan has been governed independently from mainland China since 1949. Beijing views the island as its province, while Taiwan – a territory with its own elected government – maintains that it is an autonomous country. Beijing opposes any official contacts of foreign states with Taipei and considers Chinese sovereignty over the island indisputable. (UNI)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
