DPP warned against self-destructive military pursuit of 'independence'

A Chinese mainland spokesman warned on Wednesday that Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authorities' attempts to pursue "independence" by military means would only lead to self-destruction.

Peng Qing'en, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks in response to an opinion piece by Lai Ching-te published in The Washington Post. In the piece, Lai pledged to raise Taiwan's "defense" budget to 3.3 percent of its GDP next year and to 5 percent by 2030, along with proposing a $40 billion supplementary "defense" package.

Peng criticized the DPP authorities for wasting resources that could have been used to improve people's livelihoods and develop the economy, instead channeling funds into arms purchases to "curry favor with external forces".

In the article published on Tuesday, Lai said Taiwan would invest in cutting-edge technologies, expand its "defense" industrial base, and strengthen collaboration with partners.

Peng said such actions would push Taiwan toward disaster. "The trend toward reunification is unstoppable," he stressed, adding that seeking "independence" by relying on the United States is doomed to fail, and pursuing "independence" through military means will only lead to self-destruction.