Former Chinese army general threatens to seize Taiwan in three days.

"China could simultaneously launch six offensives—artillery bombardment, precision airstrikes, coordinated air and sea landings, cyber warfare, special forces deployment, and psychological warfare—to reclaim Taiwan for the mainland within three days."Global Times, a subsidiary publication of People's Daily - the mouthpiece of the Chinese Communist Party - quoted retired General Wang Hongguang as saying on March 30.

Lieutenant General Wang Hongguang previously served as deputy commander of the Nanjing Military Region, now the Eastern Strategic Command, China's closest military region to Taiwan.

General Wang's tough statement caused a stir in Taiwan, to the point that many newspapers that support a reunification solution with China on the island also voiced their opposition.

"Beijing's efforts to win the hearts of the Taiwanese people will be neutralized by such nonsensical statements. Any attempt by China will backfire if they rely on generals like Wang, who know nothing but inciting war," the newspaper reported.China Timesof Taiwan wrote in an editorial.

This is not the first time General Wang has drawn attention with statements threatening Taiwan. On the sidelines of the Chinese National People's Congress session in early 2017, he stated, "China will liberate Taiwan if the United States deploys the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system on the island." The Chinese military subsequently issued a statement urging the public not to misinterpret General Wang's remarks.

Despite urging the media not to exaggerate Wang's statement,81.cn, a news site affiliated with the Chinese military.They still maintain that "the general's words can be considered a warning," suggesting that war would break out if Taiwan declared independence.

Also in an article published in the Global Times in 2016, General Wang urged the Chinese navy to intensify training to effectively blockade the Taiwan Strait, outlining the best maneuvering routes for attack submarines. He also called on the Chinese air force to conduct airstrike exercises near the median line dividing the Taiwan Strait.

China has always considered Taiwan a part of its territory awaiting reunification, even by force if necessary. Relations across the Taiwan Strait have cooled since pro-independence leader Tsai Ing-wen came to power in mid-2016.Tensions escalated afterUS President Donald Trump recently signed into law the "Taiwan Visit Act," encouraging the US administration to visit Taiwan.Sending high-ranking officials to Taiwan and vice versa has angered Beijing.