On eve of Taiwan elections, PLA warns it will take ‘all necessary measures’ to ‘crush’ separatism

Beijing’s defence ministry says it is ‘on high vigilance’ and will ‘firmly defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country’

Taiwanese voters will go to the polls to pick a new president, with William Lai Ching-te of the independence-leaning DPP favoured to win

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The PLA has conducted more war games near Taiwan in recent years. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 10:00pm, 12 Jan 2024Updated: 10:35pm, 12 Jan 2024

The PLA is ready to take “all necessary measures” to defeat Taiwan separatism, a mainland Chinese military spokesman said on Friday on the eve of the island’s presidential election.

“The People’s Liberation Army is on high vigilance at all times and will take all necessary measures to resolutely crush any form of secessionist designs for ‘Taiwan independence’ and to firmly defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country,” defence ministry spokesman Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang said in Beijing.

Across the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan’s defence ministry posted on its official account on X, formerly Twitter, saying it was “combat ready at all times”.

“Full combat readiness, vigorous training, [Taiwan’s armed forces] are the guardians of national security and the defenders of freedom and democracy!” the post said.

Taiwan will hold its presidential and legislative elections on Saturday. William Lai Ching-te, vice-president and candidate of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party, is leading the race.

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