Mainland says PLA drills warn Taiwan independence forces, foreign backers

A Chinese mainland spokesman said Monday that the People's Liberation Army's drills in the Taiwan Strait are aimed at curbing collusion between "Taiwan independence" forces and external powers that has destabilized the region.

Chen Binhua, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said the military drills launched on Monday by the PLA Eastern Theater Command serve as a stern warning to both "Taiwan independence" separatists and foreign forces interfering in the Taiwan Strait. He called the exercises a necessary and legitimate move to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Chen criticized the Lai Ching-te authorities for pursuing "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and courting foreign powers "without principle," saying such actions betray Taiwan's interests.

He accused the Lai authorities of sacrificing Taiwan's economic development and the well-being of its people, colluding with external forces to seek "independence," provoking tensions and resorting to militarization. These actions, Chen said, have severely damaged cross-Strait relations and threatened peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

"We will never tolerate or condone any 'Taiwan independence' separatist acts, and we will strike back with force," Chen said.

He said the military exercises are designed to safeguard the core interests of the Chinese nation and protect the vital interests of people in Taiwan, stressing that the drills are not directed at the island's general public.

"Any external forces that attempt to intervene in the Taiwan question or meddle in China's internal affairs will inevitably crash against the PLA's steel wall," Chen said, adding that the historical trend toward national reunification is unstoppable.

"No one should underestimate our firm determination, unwavering will and strong capabilities to defend our national sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said.

Chen urged people in Taiwan to recognize the dangers and harm of the Lai authorities' "Taiwan independence" path and to oppose separatism and external interference.