China warned Taiwanese separatists through its state media Friday to prepare for further military drills amid increased calls for full independence, warning that the U.S. “cannot protect them.”
An editorial in the state propaganda outlet Global Times warns that if “Taiwan independence forces continue to wantonly take rash actions, the PLA will take further steps.”
“The live-fire exercises in the Taiwan Straits and the flights around Taiwan conducted by the PLA to specifically target Taiwan independence forces in recent days have shocked the island,” the editorial reads. “Still, some separatists attempted to embolden themselves by hyping their U.S. support.”
The editorial goes on to claim that the independence forces should “abandon their dream” of protection from the United States, as Washington continues to sell weapons and pass legislation that allows high-level diplomatic engagement between American and Taiwanese officials as well as an end to all travel restrictions.
“The Taiwan independence forces had better abandon their dream that the U.S. can protect them,” it continues. “Military competition between the mainland and the U.S. in the West Pacific is not all about Taiwan.”
Despite being administered by an independent, democratically-elected government, growing calls for full Taiwanese independence have angered authorities in Beijing, who continue to respond with military exercises. China considered Taiwan a rogue province, not a sovereign state. READ MORE
