China will show no mercy towards Taiwan's independence: CMC Vice Chairman General Zhang Youxia
China will show no mercy towards Taiwan's independence. This comes despite turmoil in the top ranks of the country's armed forces, Voice of America (VOA) reported.
General Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission (CMC), said: «No matter who wants to separate Taiwan from China in any form, the Chinese military will never agree and will show no mercy.»
His remarks came at the 10th Xiangshan Forum in Beijing on Monday.
More than 1,800 people attended the two-day forum — China's biggest annual event focused on military diplomacy.
The participants included 99 official delegations and defence ministers from 19 countries, as well as military chiefs, international organization representatives, experts, scholars and observers, according to China's official Xinhua news agency. The United States also sent a representative.
Former Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu was, however, absent.
Two Chinese senior Rocket Force commanders were dismissed in August and replaced by people from the Air Force and Navy with no experience in nuclear weapons management, a principal responsibility of the Rocket Force.
Research director at the US Air University's China Aerospace Studies Institute Roderick Lee said the high-level changes in the Chinese military wouldn't affect most operational units.
Lee said at an event hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington: «If there are lower-echelon guys being taken out as well, that probably has a greater impact.
