China's military 'mindful' of ties that bind mainland and Taiwan

A scholar with the People's Liberation Army has refuted claims that the PLA "dares not" strike Taiwan, saying the Chinese military has instead been mindful of the ties that bind compatriots on the mainland and the island, and does not want people in Taiwan to be dragged into war because of "independence" separatists.

Zhang Chi, a professor at the PLA National Defense University, made the remarks after the PLA Eastern Theater Command announced it had begun drills around Taiwan on Monday following United States' approval of its largest-ever arms sale to the administration on the island.

However, Zhang stressed that, if separatist forces in Taiwan dare to cross the red line, or if external forces dare to seriously harm China's core interests, the PLA will "definitely deliver a head-on blow".

"Across the Strait, we share the same bloodline. We are the ones least willing to see turmoil and conflict in the Taiwan Strait," Zhang said.

He rejected rhetoric from some politicians on the island who claim "the Chinese mainland won't fight, and external forces will come to the rescue" as an attempt to mislead the public.

The professor called on people on the island to uphold the shared conviction that the national territory must not be divided, the country must not fall into chaos, the nation must not be split, and the civilization must not be severed.

He urged people in Taiwan to draw a clear line with "Taiwan independence" separatists, work together to safeguard national reunification, and share in the glory of national rejuvenation.

Zhang said the biggest threats to cross-Strait peace and stability are attempts by external forces to use Taiwan to contain China and the pursuit of "independence" by the island's Democratic Progressive Party authorities with outside support. While the two forces are in collusion, both are doomed to fail, he added.

No matter how many weapons are sold to Taiwan, this cannot stop the historical trend that China will, and must, achieve reunification, Zhang said.

The professor insisted that, while the PLA has reached a strong, system-based combat capability and holds an overwhelming advantage, attempts by authorities on the island led by Lai Ching-te to seek "independence" by relying on external forces or military means are "sheer wishful thinking and will only end in humiliation".