China’s defense minister marked Army Day Sunday by pledging the 2.5 million-strong military could crush any attempt at independence by Taiwan, echoing a tough message from his president to President Bush. President and Communist Party chief Hu Jintao issued a blunt warning to Bush Friday not to press ahead with arms sales to the democratically ruled island that Beijing claims as a rebel province — to be recovered by force if necessary. Speaking Saturday at ceremonies to mark the Aug. 1 Army Day, anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Cao said both peace and stability were impossible if Taiwan pursued independence.Full Story