Beijing (CNN)China has warned against what it describes as a growing threat from “separatists” in Taiwan, and said it would not rule out using force against the self-governed island Beijing regards as part of its territory.
In a national defense white paper released Wednesday, China took aim at what it considers pro-independence or separatist forces in the far western region of Xinjiang, Tibet and Taiwan, claiming they were a threat to national security and social stability.
In particular, the paper accused Taiwan’s democratically-elected government of “pursuing a path of separatism” by pushing for “gradual independence,” warning that China “must and will be reunited.”
