DPP move unrealistic, official says

Mainland warns Taiwan's military plan a threat to cross-Strait stability

Lai Ching-te and the Democratic Progressive Party authorities in Taiwan are intensifying preparations for war and "independence", posing the greatest threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, a Chinese mainland spokeswoman said on Wednesday.

Zhu Fenglian, the spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a news conference in Beijing that if the DPP authorities were allowed to continue such acts, it would only lead to increased risks of conflict and danger for Taiwan.

In a recent announcement in New Taipei City, island leader Lai outlined plans to complete the construction of 11 large ships of over 1,000 metric tons within the next seven years, claiming the leadership aims to provide better equipment for facing various threats and to instill confidence in safeguarding Taiwan's "territory and maritime borders".

Education authorities have recently asked high school students to sign a wartime service agreement with the island's armed forces. Taiwan's "representative" in the United States also mentioned in a recent interview with U.S. media that the Taiwan people are prepared for combat.

"Lai's attempt to seek 'independence' through military means is unrealistic and a path to self-destruction," Zhu said.

The more resources are invested in so-called war preparations, the less attention is given to the welfare of the Taiwan people, ultimately leading to greater harm for Taiwan, she said.

"No parent would want their children to be drawn into a battlefield due to the pursuit of 'Taiwan independence'," the spokeswoman added.

Zhu said a recent poll in Taiwan that indicated record low support for the DPP in the past seven months reflected concerns and dissatisfaction among the Taiwan people regarding the Lai administration's unilateral actions in seeking "independence".

She accused the DPP of continuously hyping up the so-called mainland threat to deceive the Taiwan people and find excuses to prepare for war.

Asked about Republican presidential election candidate Donald Trump's remarks earlier this month on Taiwan having to pay for protection from the U.S., Zhu said Taiwan people had a clear understanding of U.S. policy.

Earlier this month, the U.S. government approved a $1.99 billion arms sale package for Taiwan, including delivery of an advanced surface-to-air missile system and radar systems. President Joe Biden's administration has approved 17 arms sales to Taiwan to date.

"Whether the U.S. truly aims to protect or harm Taiwan, I believe that most Taiwan people have made rational judgments and understand that the U.S. prioritizes its own interests," Zhu said. "Taiwan could be a 'card' that could be abandoned by the U.S. at any time."

Zhong Houtao, a Taiwan affairs expert at the University of International Relations, said that history has shown that the U.S. has never sacrificed a single soldier for Taiwan, and it is unlikely to do so in the future.

"If the Taiwan Strait region experienced turmoil, the U.S. would not only fail to protect Taiwan but may instead abandon or even destroy the island," he added.