Chinese officials have characterized recent military exercises in the Taiwan Strait as both essential and justified actions to preserve national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Zhang Han, spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, articulated this position during a regular press briefing on Wednesday, emphasizing that the People’s Liberation Army’s operations function as a stark warning to separatist factions and external forces meddling in the region.
Zhang explicitly stated that China will not tolerate any activities promoting ‘Taiwan independence’ and will respond with determined countermeasures. The drills, she clarified, are designed to protect the Chinese nation’s core interests while simultaneously safeguarding the fundamental welfare of Taiwanese citizens.
The military exercises, dubbed ‘Justice Mission 2025,’ were initiated by the PLA Eastern Theater Command on Monday in the maritime and aerial zones surrounding Taiwan. Security analysts interpret these maneuvers as a direct reaction to substantial recent arms sales by the United States to Taiwan.
During the conference, Zhang criticized the Lai Ching-te administration for engaging in what she described as unprincipled appeals to foreign powers and activities that compromise Taiwan’s interests. She asserted that these provocative actions toward independence have negatively impacted Taiwan’s economic progress and population welfare, while simultaneously deteriorating cross-strait relations and endangering regional stability.
Addressing the Democratic Progressive Party’s comments on the military exercises, Zhang accused DPP authorities of distorting facts and manipulating public perception. She further condemned the party as ‘destroyers of peace,’ ‘manufacturers of crises,’ and ‘instigators of war,’ identifying their persistent separatist stance and collaboration with external powers as the primary source of instability in the Taiwan Strait.
