Defence Ministry: China is prepared to'smash' Taiwanese independence

An official in Beijing has warned that expanding military ties between the US and Taipei are "very wrong and dangerous". China's military has vowed to "resolutely smash" any separatist movement in Taiwan and warned that Washington's increased meddling with the self-governing island has created a dangerous fracture in Sino-US relations. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has vowed to "resolutely smash any form of Taiwanese independence secession, along with attempts at outside interference, and will resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity." Washington had already angered Beijing by selling weapons to Taiwan and sending political delegations to the breakaway Chinese province. China ramped up military drills in the Taiwan Strait and broke off defense and climate ties with the US last August, after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a controversial visit to the island. Increasing defense ties between Washington and Taipei have "shaken the foundation of Sino-US relations and undermined peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," the official said.

The defense spokesman for China has called for Washington to abide by its One China policy, which recognizes the PRC as the sole legal government of China, including Taiwan. He also responded to a statement by the top-ranking US military officer, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, who vowed to prevent China and Russia from forming a strategic military alliance. China and Russia are cooperating more deeply on the basis of "non-alignment" and "non-confrontation" to safeguard international fairness and justice while maintaining security and stability.