A view of the Taiwan Straits is seen from Xiamen port, in East China's Fujian Province. Photo: IC
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and China's State Council Taiwan Affairs Office both responded on Monday to inquiries regarding military exercises around Taiwan Straits, with foreign ministry spokesperson saying Taiwan question is at the very core of China's core interests, and "if the foundation is shaken, whatever above it cannot stand."
In response to a question that it is learned that the Chinese military has conducted drills near the Taiwan Straits, which some believe this has something to do with US State Department's recent revisions to the statements on its Taiwan policy on its website and "Taiwan independence" forces' unconscionable acts, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China's relevant military operation is necessary, lawful and legitimate in order to defend national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. It's a firm response to external forces who are hellbent on abetting and aiding "Taiwan independence," and a warning to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces' unconscionable acts.
Mao said that the US has recently taken a series of wrong steps on the Taiwan question. In particular, the US State Department removed important statements that show the US is committed to the one-China policy and does not support "Taiwan independence" in the fact sheet of its so-called relations with Taiwan on the website, which shows the US gravely backpedaled on its position on Taiwan-related issues. This is another egregious example of the US's intention of using Taiwan to contain China, and its move to abet and aid "Taiwan independence", which sends a gravely wrong signal to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.
Mao emphasized that the Taiwan question is at the very core of China's core interests and the one-China principle is the bedrock of the political foundation of China-US relations. If the foundation is shaken, whatever above it cannot stand. "Taiwan independence" and cross-Straits peace and stability are as irreconcilable as fire and water. The pursuit of "Taiwan independence" will lead nowhere. Those who attempt to use Taiwan to contain China will get burned for playing with fire, she said.
On the same day that Mao addressed the matter, Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for China's State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, also responded to media inquiries on Monday evening, noting that the PLA's exercises near the island of Taiwan serve as a resolute punishment for Lai's continuous promotion of the separatist fallacy of "Taiwan independence" and the escalation of cross-Straits confrontation.
Chen said that the exercises are a powerful deterrent against the provocations of the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, a stern warning against external forces interfering and causing trouble, and a legitimate and necessary action to defend national sovereignty and maintain peace in the Taiwan Straits.
Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Monday that China's military exercises are activities arranged within the scope of its sovereignty and in accordance with its own policy agenda, unaffected by external rhetoric or actions. These exercises demonstrate China's resolve to safeguard its sovereignty and express its unwavering commitment to national reunification, he noted.
The US has long interfered in China's internal affairs, pursuing a strategy of "using Taiwan to contain China," aimed at delaying or even indefinitely prolonging China's reunification, said Li. Such actions violate United Nations resolutions, the fundamental principles of international relations, and the consensus of the international community. Li noted that ultimately, they will only tarnish the US' reputation, undermine global security and stability, and expose the US as a disruptor of the international order.
