China Defense Min. Renews Taiwan Threat09/18 06:14

   

   TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) -- China's defense minister renewed threats that his 
country would take over self-ruled Taiwan as he opened a security forum in 
Beijing on Thursday.

   The "restoration" of Taiwan to China "is an integral part of the post-war 
international order," Dong Jun told an audience of international military 
officials attending the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, an annual event where China 
aims to project regional leadership and boost military cooperation.

   Beijing considers Taiwan -- a democracy of 23 million people that has been 
governed separately from China since 1949 -- to be a breakaway province, and 
has not ruled out the use of force to bring it under its control. China puts 
military pressure on Taiwan by sending warships and aircraft near the island 
almost daily.

   Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te and his ruling Democratic Progressive Party 
reject Beijing's assertions and maintain that Taiwan is a sovereign country 
whose future should be decided by its people.

   Dong said China would "never allow any separatist attempts for Taiwan 
independence to succeed" and that it is ready to thwart "any external military 
interference."

   "The Chinese military stands ready to work with all parties to serve as a 
force for global peace, stability and progress," he said.

   While not mentioning the United States by name, Dong chided "behaviors such 
as external military interference, seeking spheres of influence and coercing 
others into taking sides." He called those a means to "plunge the international 
community into chaos and conflict."

   The security forum comes after Beijing earlier this month held a massive 
military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. 
China's army, the world's largest, showcased its advanced weaponry at the 
parade, including Chinese-made hypersonic missiles and tanks.

   Dong stressed the importance of upholding the "UN-centered international 
system" as a framework for global peace and stability.

   "We must defend the post-war order," he said. "We do not intend to overturn 
the existing order or to create a new one. Rather the goal is to reinforce the 
cornerstone and pillars of the system."