BEIJING, January 12. /TASS/. China’s People's Liberation Army will suppress any attempts by Taiwan’s separatist administration to isolate the island from mainland China, Chinese Defense Ministry Spokesman Zhang Xiaogang said.

"The leadership of [Taiwan’s ruling] Democratic Progressive Party is spending money that people earned by their sweat and blood for mercenary purposes, purchasing US-made weapons," he said in a statement on the WeChat social media platform, commenting on Taipei’s plans to purchase a batch of F-16V Block 70 fighter jets from the US. "It cannot break the general trend towards the homeland’s reunification and will only mean a threat of war for Taiwan," the spokesperson added.

"We will take all necessary measures to resolutely suppress any separatist plots by supporters of the so-called movement for Taiwan’s independence," he concluded, pointing out that the Chinese army "remains on high alert at all times."

Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA) reported in early December that US defense corporation Lockheed Martin planned to complete the upgrade of Taiwan’s 140 F-16 fighters to the Viper configuration. In addition, Taiwan ordered 66 new F-16V Block 70 aircraft from the US.

Taiwan has been governed by its local administration since 1949. According to Beijing’s official position, which is supported by most countries, including Russia, the island of Taiwan is one of China’s provinces. The US broke off formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979 and established relations with China. While recognizing the One China policy, the US continues to maintain contact with the Taipei administration and provide weapons to the island.