China’s Defence Minister says war with U.S. would bring disaster to the world
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia’s Premier Defense Summit, the Defense Minister of China – Wei Fenghe has given a stern warning to United States (U.S.) for interfering in matters related to Taiwan and South China Sea.
Wei Fenghe told delegates that Beijing would not give away a single inch of territory and any foreign interference will be subjected to extreme consequences.
He said, “If anyone dares to split Taiwan from China, the Chinese military has no choice but to fight at all costs. The U.S. is indivisible, and so is China. China must be, and will be, reunified.” However, he also stated that both U.S. and China are aware that a war between them “would bring disaster to both countries and the world.”
China considers Taiwan as a traitor Province. The 1949 Civil War separated China and Taiwan. As regards U.S, it is the main supplier of weapons to Taiwan.
In May 2019, 2 U.S. warships had sailed near islands claimed by China in the South China Sea. China had strongly condemned the move. The U.S. guided-missile destroyers Preble and Chung Hoon travelled within 12 nautical miles of Gaven and Johnson Reefs in the Spratly Islands, which irritated China.
Wei also asked the delegates, “How can the US enact a law to interfere in China’s internal affairs? Is there any sense in that?”
What Taiwan said?
Reacting to Wei Fenghe’s remarks, Taiwan’s Government has said Taiwan never belonged to the People’s Republic of China and that Taiwan would never accept Beijing’s threats and that China’s claim of its peaceful development is biggest lie.
The Mainland Affairs Council of Taiwan, a cabinet-level administrative agency under the Executive Yuan of Taiwan, said, “Taiwan will continue to strengthen its self defense capabilities, defend the country’s sovereignty and democratic system, and uphold the right of the 23 million people of Taiwan to freely choose their future.”
Besides, Taiwan would be holding Presidential elections in January 2020. Its current President – Tsai Ing-wen has always accused Beijing of seeking to weaken the Taiwan’s democracy. He has ensured his countrymen that he will defend the island and its freedoms.
The History of China and Taiwan
The term ‘China’ referred to various regimes and imperial dynasties which controlled territories in Mainland Asia prior to 1911, when the imperial system was overthrown and the Republic of China (ROC) was established as the first Republic in Asia. Later in 1927, the Chinese Civil War broke out between Kuomintang (KMT), the founding party of the ROC and the Communist Party of China, which was a rebel force at the time. The Communist Party of China conquered most of ROC’s original territory (Mainland China) in 1949, when they proclaimed the ‘People’s Republic of China’ (PRC) on that territory.
