HEADLINES : SINGAPORE – China threatens military action

Beijing won’t yield on Taiwan, South China Sea claims

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SINGAPORE: China’s defense minister warned Sunday that its military would “resolutely take action” to defend Beijing’s claims over self-ruled Taiwan and the disputed South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) waters.

Speaking at an annual security conference in Singapore, Gen. Wei Fenghe did not direct the threat at the United States, but loaded his address with criticism of activities by Washington, including support for Taiwan and leading so-called “freedom of navigation” operations in the strategic waterways that China virtually claims as its own.

Wei said the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) would not “yield a single inch of the country’s sacred land.”

China’s ruling Communist Party maintains that Taiwan is part of China and had used increasingly aggressive rhetoric toward the democratic island, which split from the mainland amid a civil war 70 years ago.

It opposes Taiwan’s independence and formally says it seeks a “peaceful reunification,” while refusing to rule out the use of force if necessary to achieve that goal.

Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Wei Fenghe speaks during the fourth plenary session of the 18th International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-la Dialogue, an annual defense and security forum in Asia, in Singapore, Sunday, June 2, 2019. AP PHOTO

“The PLA has no intention to cause anybody trouble, but it is not afraid to face up to troubles. Should anybody risk crossing the bottom line, the PLA will resolutely take action and defeat all enemies,” Wei said.

Relations between Beijing and Taipei have deteriorated since Taiwan elected pro-independence leader Tsai Ing-wen in 2016. China has since increased diplomatic pressure, cut off its contacts with the island’s government and discouraged travel there by Chinese tourists.

READ MORE: https://www.manilatimes.net/china-threatens-military-action/563585/

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