China will fight until the end to prevent Taiwan from declaring its independence, Wei Fenghe, the Chinese defense minister said on Sunday. This statement comes as tensions between Beijing and Washington are increasing.
“We will fight no matter the cost, until the end. This is the only option for China” Wei Fenghe said in Singapore.
“Those who want Taiwan to become independent with the purpose of dividing China will surely not achieve their goals” he added. “Nobody should underestimate the determination and ability of our armed forces to saveguard their territorial integrity” the minister also added.
The U.S. secretary of defense, Lloyd Austin, said on Saturday that the military presence of China near Taiwan is provocative and destabilizing, one day after his Chinese counterpart warned that China will not hesitate to go to war if Taiwan declares its independence.
China considers that Taiwan, an island with 24 million people is one of its historic provinces even if China does not control Taiwan and increased pressure on Taiwan in the last few years, for example through incursions campaigns in the Taiwan aerial defense area.