Taiwan independence activities biggest threat to peace, China says

THE biggest threat to peace across the Taiwan Strait is Taiwan independence activities, China’s foreign ministry said on Friday (October 10).

AI Brief

China says using force for Taiwan independence will lead to conflict.
Taiwan announced a new air defense system and increased military spending.
Taiwan urged China to renounce force; China still claims Taiwan as its territory.

Seeking independence by force will only drag the island into conflict, ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, said during a news briefing.

His comments were in response to Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s National Day address earlier on Friday, where he said Taiwan will build a new multi-layered air defence system called "T-Dome" to defend itself against enemy threats and increase defence spending. Lai also called on China to renounce the use of force to seize the island.

China views Taiwan as its own territory over the strong objections of the island's government.