BEIJING: China’s defence ministry on Friday broke its silence about days of military activities around Taiwan, saying it was entitled to stage exercises and the military would “not be absent” if required to fight separatist forces.
In a statement responding to a question on Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s recent visits to Hawaii and the US territory of Guam, and whether or not China had held drills, China’s defence ministry offered neither confirmation nor denial
“Whether or not to hold exercises and when to hold them is a matter for us to decide on our own according to our own needs and the situation of the struggle,” it said.
“Regardless of whether or not exercises are held, the People’s Liberation Army will not be absent and will not be soft in its fight against independence and for reunification.” Any reliance on “foreign forces to seek independence” – the usual wording China uses to warn the United States off supporting Taiwan – would be severely punished and was “doomed to failure”, the ministry added.
China has staged two rounds of war games around Taiwan so far this year.