BEIJING, June 2 -- China and Singapore signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Establishment of a Secure Defense Telephone Link on Thursday. Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister General Li Shangfu reiterated China's firm stance over the Taiwan question when meeting with the Minister for Defense of Singapore Dr. Ng Eng Hen on June 1st.
Li said that Taiwan is part of China, and the Taiwan question is at the very core of China's core interests. China will strive for a peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and utmost effort as always.
"We will never allow Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities to court foreign support for the so-called 'Taiwan independence', nor allow the external forces to use Taiwan as a pawn to contain China. We make no promise to renounce the use of force," he stressed.