Lieutenant General Sun Li-fang details Taiwan's defense plans against Chinese gray-zone operations and potential naval blockade threats from the PLA.

China "absolutely will not" rule out using force over Taiwan, a government spokesperson said on Wednesday, striking a much tougher tone than a series of articles in state media this week that pledged benign rule if the island comes over to Beijing.

China has announced a new holiday called the Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration, as part of its claims over the self-ruled island.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Taiwan won't be abandoned in China trade negotiations, emphasizing continued U.S. support amid Beijing's diplomatic pressure campaign.

Beijing has reiterated that it “absolutely will not” rule out the use of force to achieve what it calls “reunification” with Taiwan, striking a far tougher tone than recent state media commentaries that had focused on promises of peaceful governance.

U. President Donald Trump began the final leg of his Asia trip in South Korea on Wednesday, optimistic about striking a trade war truce with Chinese President Xi Jinping and advancing an unresolved tariff deal with South Korea's Lee Jae Myung.