Ministry spokesman: External forces pushing Taiwan Strait toward military conflict

The large-scale drills being carried out by the People's Liberation Army around China's Taiwan island are a stern punishment to the separatist forces on the island, which seek "Taiwan independence" through military buildup, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Monday.

The PLA Eastern Theater Command said on Monday that it is dispatching its Army, Navy, Air Force, and Rocket Force troops to conduct joint military drills, code-named "Justice Mission 2025", in the Taiwan Strait and areas to the north, southwest, southeast, and east of Taiwan.

The drills came less than two weeks after the United States announced an $11.1 billion arms sale package to the island.

The drills are a necessary action to safeguard China's state sovereignty and territorial integrity, Lin told a regular news briefing.

The Democratic Progressive Party authorities are obstinately pursuing "Taiwan independence", Lin said, adding that they are attempting to solicit US support and even willing to risk turning Taiwan into a "powder keg".

"It fully shows that the DPP authorities are the one who destroys peace, creates crises, and stokes warfare," the spokesman said.

"External forces attempt to use Taiwan to contain China and their moves to arm Taiwan will only embolden 'Taiwan independence' separatists, and push the strait toward military conflict," Lin said.

The Taiwan question is at the core of China's core interests, Lin emphasized.

"Any egregious move of crossing the line and making provocations on the Taiwan question will face a resolute head-on blow from China," he said. "Any ill-intention to stop China's reunification is doomed to fail."