A Chinese Ministry of National Defense spokesman on Monday lashed out at Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te for peddling war anxiety to justify his administration's secessionist agenda.
Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, the spokesman, made the statement at a press conference in Beijing in response to Lai's recent remarks on so-called "enhanced self-defense and preparedness to avoid war".
"Lai Ching-te has repeatedly hyped up the so-called 'military threat' from the mainland and escalated cross-Strait confrontation and antagonism. His so-called 'intentions' and 'preparations' are nothing more than a new form of promoting war anxiety, seeking excuses for his erroneous path of 'provoking war through secessionist moves.' The Lai administration's pursuit of separatism and provocative actions are the worst 'tumor' harming and destroying Taiwan. Achieving reunification of both sides of the Taiwan Strait is the best choice for ensuring lasting peace for Taiwan," Jiang said.
"We hope that our Taiwan compatriots will fully recognize the danger and harm posed by the Lai administration's agenda of 'preparing for war to pursue secession,' resolutely oppose secessionist acts, and steadfastly safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, as well as their own safety and well-being," said the spokesman.
Taiwan's Lai Ching-te slammed for selling war anxiety
Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang called for enhanced bilateral cooperation and friendship with Singapore when he met with Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on Monday.
Ding, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that the long-term and stable development of China-Singapore relations has benefited from the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries, who have upheld the correct political direction.
The two sides should continue to enhance mutual trust, respect each other's core interests, and ensure the steady and sustained progress of their friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation, he said.
Gan said that Singapore highly values its relations with China, firmly upholds the one-China principle, opposes the secessionist forces in Taiwan, and is willing to maintain close exchanges with China at all levels to promote greater development of bilateral relations.
Ding and Gan co-chaired four China-Singapore mechanism meetings on bilateral cooperation, namely, the 21st meeting of the China-Singapore Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation, the 26th meeting of the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park Joint Steering Council, the 17th meeting of the China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Joint Steering Council, and the ninth meeting of the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity Joint Steering Council.
They comprehensively reviewed and summarized the progress of practical cooperation between the two countries, clarifying the direction and priorities for cooperation in the next stage.
Both sides agreed to deepen the alignment of development plans, promote the upgrading of major projects, cultivate and strengthen new quality productive forces, jointly safeguard the multilateral trading system, and better promote the development of both countries and the prosperity and stability of the region.
Following the meetings, Ding and Gan witnessed together the exhibition of achievements in China-Singapore cooperation, and attended the launching ceremony of two freight trains under the China-Singapore Multi-modal Demonstration Project. They also visited the comprehensive exhibition hall of China-Singapore interconnectivity projects and Chongqing digital city operation and governance center.
At the invitation of Ding, Gan is on a visit to China from December 15 to 16.
Chinese vice premier calls for enhanced cooperation with Singapore
