China’s defense minister has warned his US counterpart that Beijing will not hesitate to start a war if Taiwan declares independence.
According to Chinese media, the warning was issued by Chinese Defense Minister Wei Feng on Friday when he met directly with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore.
The Chinese defense minister has said that “if anyone dares to separate Taiwan from China, the Chinese military will not hesitate to start a war at any cost.”
According to the Chinese Ministry of Defense, Defense Minister Wei Feng vowed that Beijing would thwart the “Taiwan independence” conspiracy.
Beijing declares democratic and independent Taiwan its territory and has vowed to one day occupy Taiwan by force if necessary.
Tensions between China and the United States over Taiwan have risen in recent months.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stressed the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and opposed unilateral changes in Taiwan’s current status.
“China refrains from further destabilizing actions against Taiwan,” he said, according to the Pentagon.
Tensions have risen over the infiltration of Chinese warplanes into Taiwan’s defense zone.
During a visit to Japan last month, US President Joe Biden said, “If China invades Taiwan, Washington will defend Taiwan’s military.”
China responded by saying “the United States is playing with fire.”
Zhou Fenglin, a spokesman for China’s Council on Taiwan Affairs, said: “The United States is playing the Taiwan card to control China, but it will burn itself out.