Chinese President Xi Jinping has signed a directive allowing for “non-war” uses of the military - raising concerns it could pave the way for an invasion of Taiwan that would be labelled a “special military operation” instead of a war, just as Russia has done in Ukraine.
The directive, which comes into effect on Wednesday, provides “the legal basis for troops to carry out military operations other than war”, state media reported.
Xinhua news agency did not publish the order in full but said the document aims to maintain “national sovereignty ... regional stability and regulating the organization and implementation of non-war military operations” alongside objectives such as providing disaster relief and humanitarian aid abroad.
