China said it will not renounce the use of force in efforts to reunify Taiwan with the mainland and vowed to take all necessary military measures to defeat "separatists."
In a national defense white paper released Wednesday, China listed among its top priorities its resolve to contain "Taiwan independence" and combat what it considers separatist forces in Tibet and the far west region of Xinjiang.
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China said it will not renounce the use of force in efforts to reunify Taiwan with the mainland and vowed to take all necessary military measures to defeat "separatists."
Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian said the threat of Taiwan separatism is growing and warned that those who are seeking Taiwan independence will meet a dead end.
The U.S. has repeatedly raised Beijing's ire by selling arms to Taiwan. While the U.S. does not have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, U.S. law requires that it provide Taiwan with sufficient defense equipment and services for self-defense.
The U.S. deployment of a missile defense system in South Korea has severely undermined the regional strategic balance, the report said. It further noted Japan's reinterpretation of its post-World War II constitution to allow its military to operate farther from its shores.
FILE - In this file image made from amateur video footage released by the Tibetan Youth Congress, a Tibetan runs in flames in his self-immolation to protest against Chinese rule, on a street in Yushu prefecture in China's Qinghai province Wednesday, June 20, 2012. China says it will not “renounce the use of force” in efforts to reunify Taiwan with the mainland and vows to take all necessary military measures to defeat “separatists.” In a national defense white paper released Wednesday, July 24, 2019, China emphasized its resolve to combat what it considers separatist forces in Tibet and the far west region of Xinjiang.(The Tibetan Youth Congress via AP, File)
The paper, published every few years, is an outline of China's national defense policy. Wednesday's report highlighted China's "defensive" approach, but also pledged to "surely counterattack if attacked."
FILE - In this Thursday, July 9, 2009, file photo, paramilitary police on board a truck with a banner which reads " against ethnic separatist" in the aftermath of ethnic violence that killed 156 people in Urumqi, western China's Xinjiang region. China says it will not "renounce the use of force" in efforts to reunify Taiwan with the mainland and vows to take all necessary military measures to defeat "separatists." In a national defense white paper released Wednesday, July 24, China listed among its top priorities its resolve to contain "Taiwan independence" and combat what it considers separatist forces in Tibet and the far west region of Xinjiang.(AP PhotoEugene Hoshiko, File)
Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian said the threat of Taiwan separatism is growing and warned that those who are seeking Taiwan independence will meet a dead end.
"It anyone dares to separate Taiwan from China, the Chinese army will certainly fight, resolutely defending the country's sovereign unity and territorial integrity," Wu said.
Taiwan, a democratically-governed island, split from the Communist Party-ruled mainland China amid civil war in 1949. China maintains that Taiwan is part of its territory and seeks "complete reunification."
FILE - In this Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009, file photo, Chinese paramilitary police form a line as they disperse the crowds after the unconfirmed report of a needle attack on a boy outside the People's Square in Urumqi, Xinjiang province, China. China says it will not "renounce the use of force" in efforts to reunify Taiwan with the mainland and vows to take all necessary military measures to defeat "separatists." In a national defense white paper released Wednesday, July 24, 2019, China listed among its top priorities its resolve to contain "Taiwan independence" and combat what it considers separatist forces in Tibet and the far west region of Xinjiang. (AP PhotoAndy Wong, File)
The U.S. has repeatedly raised Beijing's ire by selling arms to Taiwan. While the U.S. does not have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, U.S. law requires that it provide Taiwan with sufficient defense equipment and services for self-defense.
Earlier this month, the U.S. tentatively approved a sale of $2.2 billion in arms to Taiwan — a proposal which had prompted China to threaten sanctions against the U.S. Taiwan's defense ministry said it made the request in light of a growing military threat from China.
The white paper also pointed to U.S., Japanese and Australian moves to beef up their military presence and alliances in the Asia-Pacific as bringing uncertainties to the region.
FILE - In this April 12, 2018, file photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks after reviewing the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy fleet in the South China Sea. Xi is calling on the PLA to better prepare for combat, amid tensions over Taiwan and the South China Sea. China says it will not "renounce the use of force" in efforts to reunify Taiwan with the mainland and vows to take all necessary military measures to defeat "separatists." (Li GangXinhua via AP, File)
The U.S. deployment of a missile defense system in South Korea has severely undermined the regional strategic balance, the report said. It further noted Japan's reinterpretation of its post-World War II constitution to allow its military to operate farther from its shores.
China's military expansion in recent years has prompted concerns among other Pacific countries in a region long dominated by the U.S. Navy.
FILE - In this Tuesday, March 10, 2015, file photo, a Tibetan exile shouts slogans against China after being detained inside a police bus during a protest in New Delhi, India. China says it will not "renounce the use of force" in efforts to reunify Taiwan with the mainland and vows to take all necessary military measures to defeat "separatists." (AP PhotoAltaf Qadri, File)
FILE - In this file image made from amateur video footage released by the Tibetan Youth Congress, a Tibetan runs in flames in his self-immolation to protest against Chinese rule, on a street in Yushu prefecture in China's Qinghai province Wednesday, June 20, 2012. China says it will not “renounce the use of force” in efforts to reunify Taiwan with the mainland and vows to take all necessary military measures to defeat “separatists.” In a national defense white paper released Wednesday, July 24, 2019, China emphasized its resolve to combat what it considers separatist forces in Tibet and the far west region of Xinjiang.(The Tibetan Youth Congress via AP, File)