Xi Jinping planning invasion? Taiwan will be ‘punished’, China's diplomat says

China's top diplomat warned that any steps towards Taiwan's independence would be "harshly punished", after the self ruled island chose pro sovereignty candidate William Lai Ching te as president. China was against William Lai and said repeatedly that he is a dangerous separatist but Taiwan voters defied all calls delivering a comfortable victory for him.

Taiwan Election Results: Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate William Lai Ching te speaks to the media.(AP) Beijing claims Taiwan as its territory and has never renounced force to bring it under its control. On William Lai's victory China said that it would not change the "inevitable trend of China's reunification".

Amazon Sale season is here! Splurge and save now! Click here Read more: Denmark's Queen Margrethe signs historic abdication. Her son becomes king "If anyone on the island of Taiwan thinks of going for independence, they will be trying to split apart China's territory, and will certainly be harshly punished by both history and the law," Wang Yi said, adding, “This is a dead end.

No matter what the results of the election are, they cannot change the basic fact that there is only one China and Taiwan is a part of it.” "Taiwan has never been a country. It wasn't in the past, and it certainly won't be in the future," Wang Yi said asserted. He warned, "seriously threatens the well being of Taiwan compatriots, seriously harms the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation, and seriously jeopardises peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait region".

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Share this article Share Via Copy Link ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" ...view detail Taiwan China.