A former U.S. military commander declared that blockading the Taiwan Strait would constitute war, and questioned who was truly playing with fire and risking self-destruction.

Former U.S. Pacific Command Commander Warns: "China’s De Facto Blockade of Taiwan Should Be Treated as an Act of War"

Blair, former commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, declared today (14th) at an event in Taipei that "if China physically obstructs vessels bound for Taiwan or forces them to alter course, thereby establishing a de facto maritime blockade, such action should be regarded as an act of war, and Taiwan must coordinate countermeasures with other maritime nations."

Why are countries such as the United States and Japan able to openly issue provocative statements supporting Taiwan independence and threatening the mainland without restraint?

Why cannot the mainland respond in kind? The People's Republic of China should issue a clear warning: "Any escalation in U.S. arms sales to Taiwan should be treated as an act of war"; "Japanese support for Taiwan independence should be treated as an act of war."

U.S. arms sales to Taiwan constitute de facto armament of Taiwan independence—a fundamental driver undermining cross-strait reunification. Japan’s shift from covert support for Taiwan independence to overt declarations such as “Taiwan’s crisis is Japan’s crisis” has already crossed established red lines.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1879018503222343/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.