'China to smash independence bid of Taiwan'
AFP, Beijing
China's defence minister has warned that the country's army has the will and the strength to "smash" any attempt by Taiwan to become independent, state media reported yesterday. Adding to weeks of escalating Chinese rhetoric, Cao Gangchuan issued the stark message at a ceremony to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the 2.5-million-strong People's Liberation Army, the People's Daily said. "If Taiwan independence forces continue to act willfully, the People's Liberation Army has the determination and capability to resolutely smash any 'Taiwan independence' splittist conspiracy," he said. "China's sovereignty and territorial integrity is the supreme objective, and the will of 1.3 billion Chinese can not be violated," he told a gathering late Saturday at Beijing's Great Hall of the People.
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