TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — China’s Minister of Defense Admiral Dong Jun (董軍) threatened Taiwan and accused Lai administration officials of making “fanatical statements” regarding Taiwan’s independence on Sunday (June 2).
Dong Jun was speaking at the annual Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore, before an international audience of military leaders and representatives of the defense industry. Dong’s speech primarily directed anger at Taiwan, the Philippines, and the U.S. for encroaching on China’s territorial claims in the Indo-Pacific region.
Dong claimed that the U.S. and the government of Taiwan are pursuing independence by incremental means, and restated China’s official position that it is prepared to use force to take over Taiwan. Dong said that the possibility of a peaceful resolution to the Taiwan issue is being “eroded” by Taiwan “separatists” and “external forces,” reported Channel News Asia.
"Those separatists recently made fanatical statements that show their betrayal of the Chinese nation and their ancestors. They will be nailed to the pillar of shame in history," said Dong. He further said that anyone who attempts to “separate Taiwan from China will be crushed and suffer self-destruction.”
Dong also chided the U.S. for supplying weapons to Taiwan, which sent “the wrong signals to Taiwan Independence forces.” He said that the U.S. is dragging Taiwan into a “dangerous situation” by continuing to support Taiwan’s ability to defend itself, per AP.
In regards to the Philippines, Dong claimed that Manila has been engaging in “premeditated provocations” to infringe on China’s territory in the South China Sea. He said there are “limits” to the restraint China has shown towards Philippine vessels in the recent confrontations.
In a reference to the U.S. support of the Philippines, Dong said that Manila is being “emboldened by outside forces” to continue provoking China in the region.
Despite the heavy criticisms of the U.S., Dong Jun met with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin for over an hour at the security forum. This was the first meeting between top-level U.S. and Chinese defense officials in 18 months, per the Guardian.
Following their meeting, Austin said that both sides had agreed to resume regular communication by phone in the coming months. China’s military previously cut off direct communications with the Pentagon in 2022 following former Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.