Photo: VCG

 
"'Protection fees' won't protect 'Taiwan independence' forces, and the 'chess pieces' will inevitably turn into 'abandoned pieces,'" said Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, during a press conference on Wednesday. Her remarks came in response to reports that the secessionist Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities on Taiwan island are contemplating arms purchases from the US, ranging from $7 billion to $10 billion, in an effort to gain favor with the Trump administration.

Zhu criticized the DPP's tactics, noting that spending money to curry favor is a common tactic used by the DPP authorities. She cited examples like donating funds to certain American think tanks for so-called "pro-Taiwan" research reports and inviting anti-China politicians to Taiwan. "Now, they're spending hundreds of billions of new Taiwan dollars to offer a 'pledge of loyalty' to the US, turning Taiwan into a 'powder keg,'" she said.

Zhu highlighted the consequences: US arms dealers grow richer, the people within the island suffer, and Taiwan's peace is undermined.

The spokesperson warned that "'Protection fees' won't protect 'Taiwan independence' forces, and the 'chess pieces' will inevitably turn into 'abandoned pieces.'"

Global Times