Jul 24, 2019 - World

China slams U.S., says it's open to using force to reunify Taiwan

Rebecca Falconer

China's Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian leaves as journalists are asking question at a press conference at the State Council Information Office in Beijing, Wednesday, July 24. — China's Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian at a news conference in Beijing. Photo: AP Photo/Andy Wong

China criticizes the U.S. for undermining global stability and says it won't "renounce use of force" against Taiwan in a defense white paper published on Wednesday.

Details: Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian told a news conference if "anyone dares to separate Taiwan from China, the Chinese army will certainly fight, resolutely defending the country’s sovereign unity and territorial integrity," according to AP. The white paper states "we will not attack unless we are attacked, but we will surely counterattack if attacked."

Why it matters: Taiwan is one of several flashpoints in the U.S.-China relationship. China regards the self-ruled Taiwan as a breakaway province. The State Department notified Congress this month that it has approved a $2.2 billion arms sale to Taiwan. The U.S. Navy has sent ships to the Taiwan Strait that divides the island with the Chinese mainland in recent months.

This is the first white paper China has issued since Chinese President Xi Jinping’s sweeping 2015 military reforms, the Japan Times notes.

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China slams U.S., says it's open to using force to reunify Taiwan

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