|
PLA vows to crush Taiwan separatism
By Hu Xiao (China Daily)
Updated: 2004-08-02 08:45
Defence Minister Cao Gangchuan has warned that the country's army has the
will and the strength to firmly crush any scheme for "Taiwan independence."
General Cao, who is also a vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission,
issued the stark message at a ceremony to celebrate Army Day, the 77th
anniversary of the foundation of the People's Liberation Army.
Chinese Defence
Minister Cao Gangchuan proposes a toast at the grand reception to mark the
77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army in
the Great Hall of the People July 31, 2004.
[newsphoto] | "China's sovereignty and territorial integrity is paramount. The will of the
1.3 billion Chinese people is not to be defied," he told a gathering late on
Saturday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Cao's warning came just one day after a telephone conversation between
President Hu Jintao and his US counterpart George W. Bush in which Hu said that
the current situation across the Taiwan Straits is very sensitive and
complicated and that the two sides should act resolutely against "the
independence of Taiwan" and any adventurous attempts by separatist
organizations.
China will exert its utmost efforts with its utmost sincerity to resolve the
Taiwan question by peaceful means, but will never tolerate "the independence of
Taiwan," Hu told Bush on Friday.
Hu reaffirmed China's opposition to US sales of sophisticated weapons to
Taiwan.
Bush expressed his understanding of China's concern over the Taiwan question
through the phone conversation and reiterated that the US would implement the
one-China policy, and observe the Three Communiques and position of not
supporting "Taiwan independence."
The US stance on the issue will never change, Bush promised.
The cross-Straits relations are becoming tense as Taiwan leader Chen
Shui-bian is taking steps to push for independence for the island since his
re-election earlier this year.
With tensions rising, both sides have been conducting military manoeuvres
this summer.
During his speech on Saturday, Cao stressed that to realize the strategic
goal of modernization of China's national defence and armed forces remains a
"long and uphill" journey.
"We will intensify our efforts in implementing the strategy of building
stronger armed forces by relying on science and technology," said Cao.
"We will intensify military training in order to enhance our fighting
capability in the information age."
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
Today's
Top News |
|
|
|
Top China
News |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
