US playing a dangerous game by supporting Taiwan, China’s defence ministry says
- Beijing will take all necessary measures to protect against those who promote independence for island it claims as its sovereign territory, spokesman says
- Strong words come after US sends warships through Taiwan Strait, pledges more military support for Taipei
Beijing on Thursday warned that it would be “very dangerous” for Washington to continue its support for Taiwan and that it would “take all necessary measures” against “external forces” and parties in the self-ruled island that promote its independence.
The comments were made at a press conference by defence ministry spokesman Wu Qian who said that Beijing was also firmly opposed to the US selling arms and having military contact with Taiwan, and that political reunification across the Taiwan Strait was inevitable.
The warning comes amid rising tensions between Beijing and Washington over Taiwan. Even as the two countries near a deal on trade, Washington has become increasingly active in challenging Beijing on the geopolitical front, with the Taiwan issue being one of Beijing’s red lines.
The US is also likely to sell Taiwan a new batch of advanced weaponry, including F-16 fighters and M1 tanks, the island’s President Tsai Ing-wen said on Wednesday during a stopover in Hawaii at the end of her Pacific tour.