A spokesperson from mainland China issued a stern warning on Wednesday, cautioning that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities in Taiwan are heading toward self-destruction by pursuing ‘independence’ through military means. Peng Qing’en, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made these remarks in response to an opinion piece by Lai Ching-te, published in The Washington Post. In the article, Lai outlined plans to increase Taiwan’s ‘defense’ budget to 3.3% of its GDP next year and to 5% by 2030, alongside a proposed $40 billion supplementary ‘defense’ package. Peng criticized the DPP for diverting resources that could otherwise improve livelihoods and economic development, instead allocating funds to arms purchases aimed at ‘currying favor with external forces.’ Lai’s article also emphasized investments in cutting-edge technologies, expansion of Taiwan’s ‘defense’ industrial base, and strengthened collaboration with international partners. Peng reiterated that such actions would only push Taiwan toward disaster, emphasizing that the trend toward reunification is unstoppable. He warned that relying on the United States for ‘independence’ is doomed to fail, and pursuing it through military means would result in self-destruction.