Gen. Wei Fenghe warns that Beijing would fight to block Taiwanese independence

China is building missile launch sites in deserts and adding an aircraft carrier to its naval fleet. WSJ spoke to military experts and analyzed satellite images to reveal Beijing’s pursuit of becoming a global military power that can take on the U.S. and its allies. Photos: Maxar; Planet Labs PBC

SINGAPORE—China’s defense minister said the country is developing its nuclear arsenal—a move he said was appropriate given the state of international security—and warned that Beijing would fight to block Taiwanese independence.

Gen. Wei Fenghe’s comments Sunday at a conference in Singapore hewed to China’s previously stated official lines. But the timing of the riposte was a direct pushback to Washington, which is seeking to bolster its own influence in Asia.

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