Taiwan independence would be stopped ‘forcefully’

The Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun has warned his military is ready to “forcefully” stop Taiwan independence but called for greater exchanges with the United States. The remarks at an annual security forum in Singapore followed the first substantive face-to-face talks in 18 months between the two countries’ defence chiefs. “We have always been open to exchanges and cooperation, but this requires both sides to meet each other halfway,” Mr Dong told the Shangri-La Dialogue where he met with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday. Mr Dong and Mr Austin met for over an hour at the luxury hotel…