The attempt of the Lai Ching-te-led Democratic Progress Party (DPP) authorities in Taiwan to seek independence by relying on the U.S. is doomed to failure, Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman of China's State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said on Wednesday.
Zhu made the statement at a press conference in Beijing in response to the Taiwan authorities approval of allocating 949.5 billion New Taiwan dollars (about 31 billion U.S. dollars) for defense spending next year. The spending will account for 3.32 percent of the region's GDP, the highest level in history.
"Taiwan authorities led by Lai Ching-te stubbornly adhere to the separatist stance of 'Taiwan independence' and attempt to seek 'independence' through military means for the selfish interests of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). They disregard public opinion on the island, squander the people's wealth and resources, strive to turn every citizen into a soldier and tie the people of Taiwan to the chariot of 'Taiwan independence'. Such actions will escalate tensions across the Taiwan Strait, and pose the greatest threat to the safety and interests of the people in Taiwan," Zhu said.
"Lai is willing to act as a cash machine for U.S. arms dealers, allowing external forces to take whatever they want. They are wasting money that could have been used to improve people's livelihoods and develop the economy on buying weapons and currying favor with external powers," she said.
"This is not only useless but will also plunge Taiwan into a disastrous situation. The trend toward reunification is unstoppable. Relying on the U.S. to pursue 'independence' is doomed to failure and seeking 'independence' through the use of force will inevitably lead to self-destruction," said the spokeswoman.
Taiwan authorities' attempts to seek independence by relying on U.S. doomed to failure: spokeswoman
