The Taiwan question is at the core of China's core interests and "whoever dares to split the Taiwan region from China will be crushed to pieces and invite their own destruction." This is what Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun said in his address at the 21st Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

Echoing him, Pan Qinghua, a member of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) delegation, told CGTN host Xu Qinduo that the PLA is committed to taking the most forceful measures for the mainland's peaceful reunification with the Taiwan region. China seeks dialogue over confrontation, partnership over alliance, win-win over zero-sum, he reiterated, and questioned the legitimacy of any international order that undermines national interests.