(UPDATE) BEIJING will "not hesitate to start a war" if Taiwan declares independence, China's defense minister warned his US counterpart Friday, the latest salvo between the superpowers over the island. Wei warned Austin that "if anyone dares to split Taiwan from China, the Chinese army will definitely not hesitate to start a war no matter the cost," defense ministry spokesman Wu Qian quoted the minister as saying during the meeting. The Chinese minister vowed that Beijing would "smash to smithereens any 'Taiwan independence' plot and resolutely uphold the unification of the motherland," according to the Chinese defense ministry. As well as on Taiwan, China and the United States have been locked in a range of other disputes. China has called for talks to end the war, but has stopped short of condemning Russia's actions and has repeatedly criticized American arms donations to Ukraine.

Source: Manila Times June 12, 2022 05:52 UTC