China ramps up Taiwan invasion fears with horror warning 'separatists' will be 'crushed'
China considers Taiwan a breakaway province, and has not ruled out using force to achieve "reunification".
China's Defence Minister has ramped up tensions after warning Beijing is ready to act "resolutely and forcefully" to curb Taiwan's independence.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue conference in Singapore, Dong Jun said a peaceful "reunification" with Taiwan remains China's aim.
However, the Chinese Defence Minister added that "separatists" and external forces are making it difficult for his country to achieve its goal.
Taiwan, roughly 100 miles from China's southeastern coast, is democratically governed and has never been under the control of the Chinese Communist Party.
Mr Dong, who said Taiwan was the "core of core issues" for China, lashed out in particular at the Democratic Progressive party currently ruling Taiwan.
Branding the Taiwanese leaders "separatists", he accused them of making "fanatical statements" - while claiming those trying to keep Taiwan and China divided will "be crushed".
Speaking to world's defence officials and politicians, he said: "They will be nailed to the pillar of shame in history.
"The Chinese People’s Liberation Army has always been an indestructible and powerful force in defence of the unification of the motherland, and it will act resolutely and forcefully at all times to curb the independence of Taiwan and to ensure that it never succeeds in its attempts.
"Whoever dares to split Taiwan from China will be crushed to pieces and suffer his own destruction."
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The Chinese officials also accused foreign powers of interfering in "domestic issues" and "emboldening" the "separatists" in Taiwan.
He added: "We’re very confident in our capability to deter Taiwan independence."
The US is one of Taiwan's closest allies and, while Washington doesn't officially recognise the territory as an independent country, it sells weapons to Taipei and plays a deterrence role across the Taiwan Strait.
During the event, Mr Dong met his US counterpart Lloyd Austin and remained locked in talks for more than an hour.
After the meeting, Austin said phone conversations between US and Chinese military commanders would resume "in the coming months" - two years after Beijing cut communications with the US due to the decision of the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, to visit Taiwan.
Just days before Mr Dong's remarks, on May 20, Taiwan's new president Lai Ching-te delivered his inauguration speech, in which he maintained his government's position on sovereignty.
