The People's Liberation Army's (PLA) military exercises around the island of Taiwan are completely legitimate, necessary and reasonable, Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang told a press conference on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, the PLA Eastern Command conducted multi-component exercises in waters north, south and east of Taiwan. On Wednesday, a strike group from the aircraft carrier Shandong joined the exercise, simulating strikes on land and sea targets east of the island.
Zhang accused the Lai Ching-teo government of provocations aimed at Taiwan's independence and of escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait. He said the PLA exercises demonstrate a commitment to defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity while serving as a warning to separatists.
He stressed that "Taiwan's independence and cross-strait peace are as incompatible as fire and water" and warned that "those who play with fire will eventually get burned."
Zhang also called on certain countries to stop sending wrong signals to separatist forces and stick to the one-China principle. He said the PLA will continue to intensify training, increase combat readiness and resolutely crack down on all separatist activities and foreign interference in order to fulfill the process of China's reunification.
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