Chinese Army General Li Zuocheng warned on Friday that “China will react firmly if provoked” on the Taiwan issue during a conversation with US Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley.
Li stressed that, “on issues concerning China’s core interests, including Taiwan, no room for compromises or concessions“, according to the statement issued by the Chinese Ministry of Defense.
“Whoever provokes us will find that China will react firmly,” he said.
China warns US is ‘playing with fire’ by saying it will defend Taiwan
According to Li, if the United States “keeps its word not to support Taiwan independence or seek conflict with China, both countries will be able to cooperate in a mutually beneficial manner“.
“At this time, both militaries should behave rationally and objectively, with an attitude of mutual respect, and further strengthen dialogue, manage risks and promote cooperation,” the Chinese general said during the virtual meeting.
Li emphasized that “The United States must respect the agreements already reached so as not to undermine stability in the Taiwan Strait.”
“The Chinese military will firmly safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said.
According to the statement, both parties agreed that it is in their interest “to avoid generating conflicts and confrontations” and “to maintain communication.”
The Chinese military has carried out several exercises in the waters “near the Taiwan region” in recent days, local media reported on Friday.
According to Chinese Colonel Shi Yi, quoted by the official Xinhua News Agency, “US provocative acts on the Taiwan issue are in vain and it will only succeed in disturbing the peace and increasing regional tension”.
“This is why our troops are always on alert and continue to prepare and train. They are ready at any time to safeguard our security and sovereignty and prevent any attempt to lead to “Taiwan independence,” he said.
China says it will ‘fight to the end’ to prevent Taiwan independence
China insists on “reunifying” the People’s Republic with the island, which has been governed autonomously since the Kuomintang (KMT) nationalists fled there in 1949 after losing the civil war against the communists.
Taiwan made the transition to democracy in the 1990s.
The island is one of the main sources of tension between China and the United States.mainly because Washington is Taiwan’s main arms supplier.
Source: Observadora
