China Vows No Mercy If Self-Ruled Taiwan Breaks ‘Red Line’

A U.S.-made Perry-class frigate takes part in the Han Kuang drill at sea near eastern Hualien city, Taiwan, on Sept. 17, 2014. Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images

Beijing vows to take “drastic measures” if Taiwan makes a formal declaration for independence, suggesting tensions between the two would spike to a higher level next year.

Any Beijing-deemed separatist attempt must be reined in, claimed Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the mainland Chinese government agency Taiwan Affairs Office during the Dec. 29 regular press briefing.