Ministry of National Defense: Exercises and patrols response to 'collusion and provocation' by US, Taiwan

Combat exercises recently carried out by the People's Liberation Army off Taiwan were in response to "collusion and provocation" by the United States and Taiwan, a Chinese defense spokesman said on Friday.

The comments from Senior Colonel Wu Qian, Ministry of National Defense Spokesman, came after the PLA Eastern Theater Command announced on Friday that it had conducted interservice patrols and combat exercises in the air and waters near Taiwan.

US Senator Rick Scott has been on a three-day visit to Taiwan since Thursday.

"China firmly opposes the US action which seriously violates the one-China principle and the three joint China-US communiqués and severely harms ties between the Chinese and American armies," said Wu, adding that the move has intensified tensions across the Taiwan Straits.

"The Taiwan question is a purely internal affair, and national reunification will absolutely be realized," said the spokesman, stressing that foreign interference is doomed to fail.

He warned that the PLA will remain on high alert and take all necessary measures to thwart external forces and separatist provocation, and safeguard national sovereignty and territory.