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China Says It Will Not Be Restrained in Curbing ‘Taiwan Independence’ After PLA Drills

By The South Asia Times

BEIJING - China will never allow any external force to “tie its hands” in curbing Taiwan independence activities, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense said on Friday, responding to international criticism of the just-concluded “Justice Mission 2025” joint military drills around Taiwan.

Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang said the drills, conducted earlier this week by multiple forces of the People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theater Command, were legitimate and necessary. He rejected what he described as “hypes” by external forces, urging relevant countries to stop supporting and conniving at Taiwan independence separatist activities, according to state-run Global Times.

Zhang’s remarks came after Taiwan regional leader Lai Ching-te claimed the exercises had created “uncertain risks to regional stability.”

The United States, Japan, Australia, the Philippines, New Zealand and the European Union also issued statements calling on Beijing to exercise restraint and opposing any unilateral change to the status quo across the Taiwan Strait.

Zhang said the successful organization of the drills fully tested integrated joint operational capabilities and demonstrated the PLA’s strong ability to combat separatism, promote reunification and counter external interference. He warned that any act crossing red lines on the Taiwan question would be met with resolute countermeasures.

Reiterating Beijing’s long-standing position, Zhang stressed that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China and that the Taiwan question is purely China’s internal affair. He said the greatest threat to cross-Strait peace and stability lies in Taiwan independence activities and external support for them.

Calling on countries and institutions to abide by the one-China principle, Zhang also urged people in Taiwan to recognize the dangers posed by separatist actions. He added that the PLA would remain on high combat readiness to safeguard China’s sovereignty, reunification and territorial integrity.