War with China ‘likely’ if Taiwan continues to seek independence, says ex-PLA general
Comments by Luo Yuan, hawkish retired PLA major general, come after independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party’s election success
A retired Chinese People’s Liberation Army major general has warned that war is likely if self-ruled Taiwan continues to seek independence.
“We have promised that Chinese people never fight against Chinese people, but if the pro-independence forces continue to press us, we will have no other chance but [to seek] reunification through use of force,” says Luo Yuan, a hawkish retired People’s Liberation Army major general.
READ MORE: China’s PLA forces carry out landing drills near Taiwan outpost days after elections
Luo’s strong words appeared in a commentary published by Global Times, a nationalist tabloid,on Monday, more than a week after a landslide victory by the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Taiwan’s presidential and legislative elections.
“We have long been proposing peaceful development across the strait, but it doesn’t mean that we have weakened our will for reunification,” Luo said. “The final goal is reunification rather than a ‘peaceful divide’.
The final goal is reunification rather than a ‘peaceful divide’. Unification means peace and independence means war
“Unification means peace and independence means war,” Luo warned. “Independence would never be equal with peace.”