Chinese general says Beijing will ‘resolutely smash’ any separatist moves by Taiwan
- Li Zuocheng says collusion between independence and foreign forces is a ‘great and realistic threat’ to peaceful development of relations
- Taipei denounces comments, saying threats of war violate international law, and Taiwanese ‘will never choose dictatorship nor bow to violence’
Taking Taiwan by force is an option for Beijing and it will take steps to “resolutely smash” any separatist moves made by the island, a top PLA general said on Friday.
At the same event, Li Zhanshu, the third most senior leader of the ruling Communist Party, said using force was a last resort and Beijing had not given up on peaceful reunification with the island, which it considers a part of China.
They were speaking at a gathering in Beijing to mark the 15th anniversary of the Anti-Secession Law that gives the People’s Liberation Army a legal basis to take military action against Taiwan if it is deemed to have seceded.
00:45
Two Sessions 2020: China opposes Taiwan independence
General Li Zuocheng, chief of the PLA Joint Staff Department, said collusion between Taiwan independence forces and foreign forces posed a “great and realistic threat” to the peaceful development of cross-strait relations.
“If the possibility for peaceful reunification is lost, the People’s Liberation Army will, with the whole nation – including the people of Taiwan – take all necessary steps to resolutely smash any separatist plots or actions,” said Li, who is also a member of the powerful Central Military Commission.
“Today’s China is not the previous frail old China … We do not promise to abandon the use of force, and reserve the option to take all necessary measures to stabilise and control the situation in the Taiwan Strait.”
Li is a decorated war hero for his actions during China’s conflict with Vietnam in 1979, one of a few senior PLA officers with combat experience.