China raps U.S. for aiding Taiwan, escalating tensions

Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun criticized the United States at a security forum in Singapore on Sunday, claiming Washington supports Taiwan independence and is escalating regional tensions by forming "small circles" with its allies and like-minded countries.Reiterating that the self-ruled island is at "the core of China's core interests," Dong said at the Asia Security Summit, better known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, the prospect of peaceful unification is "increasingly being eroded by separatists for Taiwan independence and foreign forces," referring to the United States.Dong warned the…READ FULL ARTICLE