China (Washington Insider Magazine) – Singapore, asserting that the Chinese military is prepared to “forcefully” counter any attempts by Taiwan to declare independence. In his speech on Sunday, Dong labeled Taiwan’s self-ruled democracy as the “core of core issues” for China, accusing the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of promoting separatism and seeking to erase Chinese identity.
Dong’s remarks follow recent military drills around Taiwan, which took place after the inauguration of President William Lai Ching-te. While Lai and the DPP assert that the future of Taiwan should be determined by its people, Beijing has denounced Lai as a “separatist.”
“Those separatists recently made fanatical statements that demonstrate their betrayal of the Chinese nation and their ancestors. They will be nailed to the pillar of shame in history,” Dong stated. He emphasized that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) remains a formidable force dedicated to safeguarding the unification of China, vowing to act “resolutely and forcefully” against any attempts at Taiwanese independence.
“Whoever dares to split Taiwan from China will be crushed to pieces and suffer their own destruction,” he declared.
In response, Taiwan’s government expressed deep regret over Dong’s “provocative and irrational” statements.
Dong’s speech came shortly after his first substantial in-person discussions with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in 18 months. The two defense leaders met for over an hour during the security forum, where they discussed the need for increased exchanges and cooperation, acknowledging the differences between their militaries.
Austin announced that military communication between U.S. and Chinese commanders would resume “in the coming months,” a move welcomed by Beijing as a sign of stabilizing relations between the two nations. This dialogue is seen as crucial for preventing misunderstandings that could escalate into conflict.
Both the Biden administration and Chinese officials have been working to improve communication to reduce tensions, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken visiting China last month. The resumption of military-to-military talks is a key component of these efforts, especially after China suspended such communications in 2022 following then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.
In addressing ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, where China claims nearly full sovereignty and has been involved in frequent confrontations with Philippine vessels, Dong warned of “limits” to China’s restraint. He noted that while China has exercised restraint in the face of provocations, it would not tolerate infringements on its rights.
The tensions in the region have been exacerbated by incidents like China’s firing of water cannons at Philippine vessels near contested areas, including the Second Thomas Shoal and Scarborough Shoal, which China seized from the Philippines in 2012 after a lengthy standoff. Despite an international arbitration ruling favoring the Philippines, which stated that China’s claims have no legal basis, Beijing has ignored the decision.
