China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Monday began military exercises in the Taiwan Strait and areas north, south and east of Taiwan Island. According to Chen Binhua, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, the exercises are a legitimate step to protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The exercise, code-named "Joint Sword-2024B," included ground, naval, air and missile forces. It was billed as a clear punishment and warning to Lai Ching-teo for his long-standing separatist rhetoric and support for Taiwan independence.
Chen stressed that since Lai Ching-teo took over as Taiwan's leader, there have been serious violations of the one-China principle, cooperation with external forces, and provocations threatening cross-strait stability.
According to Chen, "Taiwan independence" and peace in the Taiwan Strait are incompatible. If the Taiwanese government continues its separatist activities, the people of Taiwan face serious consequences.
Chen stressed that China's reunification is historically inevitable and China is determined to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity. At the same time, he said that the PLA's countermeasures only target separatist activities and foreign intervention, not the people of Taiwan.
The spokesman also called on the Taiwanese people to reject separatism, oppose outside interference and work with mainland China to build a united and prosperous future.
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