Taiwan's new leadership pushing island towards war with China, says Beijing

Taiwan’s new administration is steering the island toward a military conflict with its incendiary rhetoric, Chinese Defense Ministry Spokesperson Wu Qian said at a press briefing.

"When the leaders of the Taiwanese region came to power, they seriously challenged the One China principle by openly promoting the idea of two states in an effort to ‘win independence’ with the help of foreign forces, all the while pushing their Taiwanese compatriots to the brink of a dangerous war situation," Wu said.

He stressed that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China "will continue to take necessary countermeasures" in response to supporters of "Taiwan’s independence."

According to the local media, the speech delivered by the new Taiwanese leader, Lai Ching-te, during his inauguration on May 20, is at the root of the current escalation.