"If the Taiwan authorities collude with all
splittist forces to openly engage in pro-independence
activities and challenge the mainland and the one-China
principle, the use of force may become unavoidable," vice
minister of the Taiwan affairs office of the Chinese Cabinet,
Wang Zaixi was quoted as saying by state-run 'China Daily'.
"The separatist forces are set to pay a high cost if
they think we will not use force against their conspiracy to
promote formal independence,'' he said.
Beijing's latest warning is the strongest statement in
years against the pro-independence government in Taipei.
China views Taiwan as a rebel province that must be
reunified with the mainland, even by force.
Wang said that Taiwan President Chen Shui-Bian's
"extreme push for independence" is crossing Beijing's red line and runs the risk of triggering a war between the island and
mainland.
He said curbing Taiwan's independence crusade is the
bottom line of the mainland's Taiwan policy and war will break
out if the island declares formal independence.
Bureau Report
