China says nations that stand between it and Taiwan will be ‘crushed by wheels of history’

The language, while pointed, reflected China’s usual vehemence about the island; its claim rarely goes unmentioned in major international speeches

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi addresses the General Assembly of the UN (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

China underscored its commitment on Saturday to its claim to Taiwan, telling world leaders that anyone who gets in the way of its determination to reunify with the self-governing island would be “crushed by the wheels of history”.

The language was forceful but, for Chinese leadership, well within the realm of normal.