China Will Take ‘Drastic Measures’ If Taiwan Moves Towards Independence

A Taiwanese F-16 fighter jet flying next to a Chinese H-6 bomber (top) off the coast of Taiwan on Feb 10, 2020. PHOTO: AFP/TAIWAN'S DEFENCE MINISTRY

NBC/Reuters: China warns of ‘drastic measures’ if Taiwan provokes on independence

While the U.S. recognizes only one China, it is required by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself and has long followed a policy of “strategic ambiguity.”

BEIJING — China will take “drastic measures” if Taiwan makes moves towards independence, a Beijing official warned on Wednesday, adding that Taiwan’s provocations and outside meddling could intensify next year.

China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and in the past two years has stepped up military and diplomatic pressure to assert its sovereignty claim, fueling anger in Taipei and concern in Washington.

China was willing to try its utmost to seek peaceful reunification with Taiwan but would act if any red lines on independence were crossed, Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman of the Taiwan Affairs Office, told a media briefing.

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Update #1: Beijing warns of 'drastic measures' if Taiwan makes independence moves (SCMP)

Update #2: China war fears erupt! Beijing says it will take 'drastic measures' as Biden tensions boil (Express)

WNU Editor: When it comes to China and Taiwan I expect more of this in 2022 .... Taiwan braces itself for more Chinese warplane fly-bys in 2022 after patrols double (Bloomberg).