Drills near Taiwan ‘firm response’ to external forces, separatists: China
Beijing has described its recent military drills near the self-governing island of Taiwan as a “firm response” and warning to external forces helping separatist groups in the Chinese Taipei.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday that the drills were “necessary, lawful and legitimate,” adding that they served as a warning to separatist activities, which she described as "unconscionable."
"It’s a firm response to external forces who are hell-bent on abetting and aiding Taiwan independence and a warning to Taiwan independence separatist forces’ unconscionable acts," she said at a daily press conference in the capital Beijing.
Mao’s comments came as the Chinese military launched exercises near the self-riled island earlier in the day, involving 54 Chinese aircraft, including J-10 jets and drones.
Taipei’s Defense Ministry stated that the Chinese aircraft were detected flying to the north, west, southwest and east of the self-ruled island as well as 42 planes crossing the Taiwan Strait's median line.
Commenting on the latest statement of the G7 group, in which the member states expressed their concerns about China's alleged threat to maritime security and stability in Taiwan, Mao condemned it as a “mischaracterization of the facts and truth.”
She also stressed that the Taiwan question is “at the core of China's interests.”
"Freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea has never been an issue. The G7 should stop sowing discord and provoking disputes. We absolutely reject the G7’s blame-shifting," the spokesperson added.
Over the past years, China has intensified military activities around Taiwan, including large-scale war games, as it continues to assert its sovereignty over the island while the Taipei government rejects Beijing's claims.
China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, also opposes any foreign interactions or visits by the island's leaders, especially those involving the United States.
The US severed diplomatic relations with Taipei in 1979 and established them with China. While recognizing the "One China" policy, Washington continues to maintain contacts with the island and supply it with weapons.
According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the total amount of US arms supplies to Taipei has surpassed $70 billion in recent years.
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