BEIJING made it known that Taiwan unveiling its first domestically-made submarine will not affect Beijing’s plan for reunification with the self-governing island.
Officially named Hai Kun, or Narwhal, the first made-in-Taiwan submarine is expected to play a major role in the event of a conflict with Mainland China.
Wi Qian, the spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Defense, made the statement during a press briefing in Beijing following Taiwan’s move to unveil its first-ever locally made submarine on Thursday.
According to the Taiwan military authority, the submarine will help strengthen its navy force to stop the Chinese People’s Liberation Army from entering the Pacific Ocean and surrounding the self-governing island.
“It’s just overrating its abilities and attempting the impossible, which will only cause destruction. As for preventing the PLA from entering the Pacific Ocean, it is simply a pipe dream. No matter how many weapons the democratic progressive party authority builds or purchases, it cannot hold back the inevitability of China’s reunification, nor can it shake the PLA’s strong determination, firm will and strong ability to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” according to Wi Qian, the spokesman for the Chinese ministry of defense.
Chinese defense ministry slams US for sabotaging peace in South China Sea
Meanwhile, the Chinese defense ministry called on the United States (US) to stop interfering in the internal affairs related to South China Sea and for sabotaging peace in the region.
The comments came after the United States donated two ships to the Philippine Navy earlier this month following tensions in the South China Sea.
The two patrol boats will conduct military missions such as guarding the charter vessels bringing supplies to Ren’ai Reef together with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels.
“China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, including the Ren’ai Reef. After the Second World War, the Chinese government recovered the South China Sea islands according to the Cairo declaration and the Potsdam proclamation. The history fact is crystal clear. The territorial scope of the Philippines is determined by the treaty of peace between the U.S. and Spain in 1898 and a series of international treaties adopted in 1900 and 1930, which did not include the Nansha islands including the Ren’ai Reef and the Huangyan Island.”
“The South China Sea was in peace until the U.S. came to disrupt it. The U.S. provision of two outdated patrol boats to the Philippines, which are not of much practical use, exposes its actual role as a disruptor and saboteur of peace and stability in the South China Sea. We urge the U.S. to stop meddling in the South China Sea issue and stop undermining peace and stability in the region,” Wi Qian, the spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Defense stated.
