Chinese military also hints at use of force to put down protests in Hong Kong

Taiwan News
Date: 2019/07/24
By: Teng Pei-ju, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

[Last update: July 24 19:30]

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Chinese military on Wednesday (July 24) once again threatened the use of force against what it considers to be Taiwan’s pro-independence “separatists,” while hinting at the possibility of deploying the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to quell Hong Kong’s protests.

While insisting on its policy of “peaceful reunification” and “one country, two systems” toward Taiwan, Beijing reiterated it will not “renounce the use of force” against “separatists” and “foreign forces” in its latest national defense white paper.

“We must firmly point out that seeking Taiwan independence is a dead end,” said Wu Qian (吳謙), a defense ministry spokesperson, at the launch event for the white paper.

China’s Ministry of National Defense released its 10th white paper on Wednesday. The document, published every five years, lays out the country’s national defense strategy.    [FULL  STORY]