Tan Kefei Photo:mod.gov.cn

China expressed strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to a US statement claiming the PLA's intensified military drills in the Taiwan Straits have damaged regional peace and stability, said Tan Kefei, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense on Friday, noting that the PLA will maintain a high alert and is ready to fight any time.

The PLA will resolutely defeat all external interference and "Taiwan independence" separatist acts, safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, Tan said, noting that the US statement severely distorted the facts and confused white with black.

There is only one China, and Taiwan is part of Chinese territory. The government of the PRC is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, which has been a basic fact recognized by the international community. The one-China principle is the political foundation of China-US relations, and also the core essence of the three Sino-US joint communiques, the spokesperson said.

The Taiwan question is part of China's internal affairs, which bears no external interference. For a period of time, the US stubbornly embraced its strategy to contain China with Taiwan-related questions, by delivering statements and actions negatively, upgrading the communication with Taiwan officials, colluding with the island military activities and selling weapons to the island.  

US ships have repeatedly sailed through the Taiwan Straits, and the US has landed its military planes on the island. All these provocative activities have damaged bilateral military relations and damaged the Taiwan Straits regional peace situation, the spokesperson said.

"Taiwan independence" separatism is the biggest obstacle to national reunification and a serious hidden danger to national rejuvenation of China. Democratic Progressive Party's constant collusion with external forces is the root cause of the tension across the Taiwan Straits, Tan said, adding that the national reunification must be realized and will be realized. 

China urged the US to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques and correct its mistakes and stop any form of official contact and military relations with the island.

Global Times