The prospect of peaceful "reunification" with Taiwan is being increasingly "eroded" by Taiwanese separatists and external forces, Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun said on Sunday, drawing an angry response from the government in Taipei.

Taiwan is pursuing independence incrementally and those who support it will “end up in self-destruction,” China’s new defense minister warned Sunday in a wide-ranging speech at a security summit in Singapore where the extent of regional tensions was on stark display.

Dong said China is committed to "peaceful reunification," but added "this principle is increasingly being eroded by separatists for Taiwan independence."

Defense Minister Dong Jun vows to crush 'Taiwan independence forces' while urging Philippines not to further escalate regional tension

Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun warned Sunday his military is ready to "forcefully" stop Taiwan independence but called for greater exchanges with the United States. "The Chinese People's Liberation Army has always been an indestructible and powerful force in defence of the unification of the motherland,

The Chinese defense minister has told a security forum that China's army would "forcefully" stop " Taiwan independence." "Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun said on Sunday that those trying to separate Taiwan from China would be" crushed and bring about their own downfall,