 "China threatens Taiwan again, speaks of ‘tightening noose’ and 'hanging swords' if separatist movements grow")
China’s military warned Sunday (March 9) that it would tighten its “noose” around Taiwan if separatist movements on the island intensified, urging proponents to step back from the “precipice” or face a “dead end,” according to state media.
Beijing considers Taiwan, a self-governed democracy, as part of its territory and has not ruled out using military force to bring it under its control.
“The more rampant ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists become, the tighter the noose around their necks and the sharper the sword hanging over their heads will be,” Chinese army spokesman Wu Qian said, according to the state-run Xinhua News Agency. The warning comes amid continuing speculation of threat of China-Taiwan war .
“The PLA is a force of action in countering separatism and promoting reunification,” Wu said.
In a stark warning, Wu likened the situation to a rider on the edge of a cliff. “You’ve ridden your steed to a precipice of a cliff… if you persist in taking the wrong course, you will meet a dead end,” he said.
Wu’s remarks coincided with China’s largest annual political gathering, known as the “Two Sessions.”
During this year’s proceedings, Beijing announced Wednesday that its defence budget will increase by 7.2 per cent in 2025 as it pushes forward with a rapid military modernisation campaign.
Building pressure on Taiwan
China has been ramping up military pressure on Taiwan. Beijing has increased the deployment of fighter jets and naval vessels around Taiwan in recent years to press its claim of sovereignty, which Taipei rejects.
As recently as Friday, Taiwan announced it had detected 11 Chinese balloons near the island in a 24-hour period.
It was the highest number of balloons recorded since December 2023 at least. The surge in balloons comes after Taiwan recorded 45 Chinese aircraft near the island in a 24-hour period the week before.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsBeijing has also been condemned China for holding “live-fire” drills off the island’s south.
With inputs from AFP
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