By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, JAN 2: As a counter measure to Taiwan seeking US support and its bid to seek independence from China, sources with senior military ties have said that Beijing is considering strong measures against it, reported Reuters.
According to the sources, China is mulling on conducting war games near the island nation and also planning to launch a series of economic measures to cripple Taiwan.
“If Trump challenges ‘one China’ after becoming president, this would cross our red line,” said one of the sources on condition of anonymity.
The news agency also quoted an official with access to high officials of the politburo including President Xi Jinping of ‘hitting them hard’ by showing its military power.
“We can just cut them off economically. No more direct flights, no more trade. Nothing. Taiwan would not last long. There would be no need for war,” said a former senior Chinese officer adding that China won’t even have to fire any missile to bring Taiwan to its knees.
President Tsai in her year-end press conference said, “The Beijing leadership has, step by step, backed onto an old track to polarize, pressure and even threaten and intimidate Taiwan.”
She also said that the island nation would be facing ‘a more uncertain international situation in the first half of 2017.’ However, she assured that the nation has the strength needed to deal with such challenges.
Elected this year after a landslide victory, Tsai during her swearing-in ceremony speech indicated that her government would be reducing ties with China and promote democracy and freedom.
