Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning Photo: fmprc.gov.cn

In response to questions about whether the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) is conducting drills near the island of Taiwan, following reports from the island's "defense ministry" that mainland warships and coast guard vessels were spotted near Taiwan and that the PLA had restricted some airspace along the mainland coast, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated in a regular press conference on Monday that first of all, Taiwan has no "defense ministry."

Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory and the Taiwan question is a matter of China's internal affairs, Mao said.

She emphasized China will firmly defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Global Times