CHINA-TAIWAN: CHINESE DEFENCE MINISTRY SPOKESMAN WARNS TAIWAN "SEPARATIST" FORCES THAT "SECESSION MEANS WAR"

Senior Colonel Wu Qian, the spokesman of China's Ministry of National Defense, said (January 28) that recent military drills by the People's Liberation Army in the Taiwan region were aimed at provocations by Taiwan separatist forces and foreign interference. He warned that "Taiwan secession means war." On January 24, the People's Liberation Army held an exercise with 15 warplanes near the island of Taiwan, two more planes than another drill of the previous day. Wu Qian said the exercises were necessary actions to address the current security situation in the Taiwan Straits and to safeguard national sovereignty and security. "They are solemn responses to foreign interference and provocations by Taiwan separatist forces." Asked about the island's pro-secession Democratic Progressive Party hoping to deepen relations with the United States, Wu Qian said Taiwan is an inseparable part of China and the Taiwan question is China's internal affair and it cannot allow any foreign meddling. He described "secession attempts by a handful of Taiwan separatists like "fleeting froth" in the long course of history of the Chinese nation that will not amount to anything significant." He added "We solemnly warn these Taiwan separatists: Those who play with fire will get burned, Taiwan secession means war. The PLA will take whatever actions necessary to resolutely thwart any secession schemes, and adamantly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity."





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