Military drill around Taiwan meant to deter ‘arrogant separatists,’ says China

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – The Chinese military held drills around Taiwan to deter the “arrogance” of “separatists,” Beijing said on Wednesday.

“Chinese People's Liberation Army's (PLA) action to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity will never stop as long as the ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists continue provocation,” said Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

The army held a series of exercises and training around Taiwan in recent weeks, which Zhu said “aim to resolutely combat the arrogance of separatist forces and separatist actions.”

“We hope Taiwan compatriots can distinguish right from wrong, distinguish cause and effect, firmly oppose 'Taiwan independence' and work with us to safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits," Zhu told reporters in Beijing, according to state media.

Zhu’s comments came as the island nation’s Defense Ministry detected around 32 PLA aircraft and 8 PLA naval vessels around Taiwan up until Wednesday morning.

Last week, Taipei said Beijing sent a record 103 warplanes towards Taiwan.

Accusing Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of “serving as pawns of the anti-China forces of the US to contain Chinese mainland,” Zhu said: “The one China principle is the consensus of the international community.”

“The Chinese people's just cause of opposing secession and striving for reunification has increasingly gained broad understanding and support,” she added.

China considers Taiwan its “breakaway province” while Taipei has maintained its independence since 1949.

Zhu said DPP authorities have tried to hinder Beijing’s efforts to “facilitate integrated development across the Taiwan Straits.”

This proves “once again that the DPP has always stood on the wrong side of history and against the interests and well-being of Taiwan compatriots,” she added.

Early this month, China’s National Development and Reform Commission said it will take a number of “special” policy measures to improve access for Taiwanese enterprises to the southern Fujian province across the Taiwan Strait.

China will deepen the integrated development of the Chinese city of Xiamen and Taiwan-controlled Kinmen islands, including the acceleration of gas, electricity and transportation links between the two, an official said.​​​​​​​