Chinese Military Strategist Says Now Is Not The Time To Take Taiwan By Force

The Liaoning aircraft carrier takes part in drills in the South China Sea. A Chinese military strategist said taking back Taiwan should not be a top priority. Photo: AP

SCMP: ‘Too costly’: Chinese military strategist warns now is not the time to take back Taiwan by force

* Qiao Liang, seen as a hawkish voice in China, says the focus should be on achieving ‘a good life’ for all Chinese
* His remarks come amid rising nationalistic sentiment, with calls for Beijing to take action on the self-ruled island

A Chinese military strategist has warned that the coronavirus pandemic should not be seen as a chance for Beijing to take back Taiwan by force, saying that was not the top priority and the focus should be on the “national rejuvenation” dream.

Qiao Liang, a retired air force major general who is seen as a hawkish voice in China, made the remarks as nationalistic sentiment is rising in the mainland, with calls for Beijing to take action on issues like pro-independence forces in Taiwan and Washington’s criticism over the pandemic.

“China’s ultimate goal is not the reunification of Taiwan, but to achieve the dream of national rejuvenation – so that all 1.4 billion Chinese can have a good life,” Qiao, a professor at the PLA National Defence University in Beijing, said in an interview on Monday.

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WNU Editor: With the pandemic raging across the world with no signs that it will end .... yeah .... now is not a good time to start World War III.

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